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NFSP00001474
Subject: Meeting between NFSP and the Lord Advocate/Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs
From: Saira.Kapasit
Sent: 28 November 2
To: Ruth Buckley-S
Ce: Philip.Lamont _{laura-isabella.Muresanu:
Subject: RE: Meeting between NFSP and the Lord Advo
-
ecretary for Justice and Home Affairs
Ruth
Thank you for the information below. This is helpful and we will use this to identify the agenda items. I will
share this with you week beginning 9" Dec after the Cabinet Secretary and Lord Advocate have had an
opportunity to consider.
Can you confirm who will attend from NFSP? We need to inform the Scottish Parliament about guests and
assess room capacity.
I wondered if you might wish to meet with myself after the meeting to discuss more pragmatic/ operational
aspects of the work. It would be helpful for me to better understand how the NFSP is supporting
Postmasters and how we can work with you to ensure that we are meeting any needs that might be arising
from the quashed conviction notifications.
If you are content to meet, then we could perhaps grab a coffee and seat in the lobby at 11am once our
meeting with the Ministers has concluded?
Saira Kapasi
Post Offi
Criminal Justice Division I Directorate for Justice I Scottish Government
DCALegalAssistant: GRO
Subject: RE: Meeting between NFSP and the Lord Advocate/Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs
Good morning Saira,
Thank you for your email regarding an agenda for our meeting with the Cabinet Secretary and Lord
Advocate on 12'" December. Our letter of 16 January 2024 to the First Minister and our email to the
Cabinet Secretary of 19 April 2024 raised the main points which the NFSP are interested in and would wish
to discuss. We appreciate things have moved on somewhat since that correspondence, both legally in
Scotland and at the Inquiry. That being so, we would be grateful if the following could be on the agenda:
+ The number of actual prosecutions which took place in Scotland and which are or will be covered
by the Post Office (Horizon System) Offences (Scotland) Act 2024, the process for the quashing of
convictions, numbers quashed to date, timescales for the quashing of all convictions which fall within
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the scope of the 2024 Act
+ The consideration being given to the timescales for the quashing of convictions to ensure that no
convicted postmasters fall out with any deadlines which may be imposed in respect of the Overturned
Convictions Compensation Scheme. Also, in respect of those who are either suffering ill health or
where their families members are suffering ill health, in other words, where quashing of convictions
may come too late for people to be aware they have been quashed.
+ How it was that Scotland criminal legal system with its apparently additional safeguards and layers
of the Specialist Reporting Agency reports, corroboration requirements and consideration of evidence
by the relevant Procurator Fiscal didn’t identify or catch Horizon cases at an earlier point, given the
simplified comparative private prosecution procedure in England which does not have these
requirements/procedures
+ What it was that the Crown Office was saying to or advising Fiscals across Scotland regarding
Horizon prosecutions and why it was that COPFS decided to stop prosecutions (in terms of notifying
Post Office of this, resulting in the meeting between Post Office personnel and COPFS in 2013).
+ The consideration being given to requesting enquires/investigation by Police Scotland in respect of
any criminal offences which may have taken place by individuals at or related to Post Office Ltd in
respect of matters such as truthfulness of information given at meeting/s with COPFS, forcing
postmasters to make payment to Post Office of shortfalls which were not contractually required and
related issues, for instance, with reference to the point made by the leader of Scottish Labour, Anas
Sarwar that offences such as extortion may have been committed
We appreciate that issues around these points, in light of our earlier correspondence, will likely be crossing
over with your points and we look forward to an informative meeting. The NFSP is committed to assisting
the Scottish Government/COPFS in any way it can with information which may assist in any of the above
points.
Regards
Ruth
Ruth Buckley-Salmon
Public Affairs Manager
The National Federation of SubPostmasters
Evelyn House, 22 Windlesham Gardens
Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex BN43 5AZ
W: www.nfsp.org.uk
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From: Saira.Kapasii
Sent: 22 November 2024
To: Ruth Buckley-Salmon.:
>: CabSecforJH4 GRO
Philip.Lamontq, GRO DCALeqalAssistants¢
Subject: RE: Meeting between NFSP and the Lord Advocate/Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home
Affairs
Hi Ruth
As Stuart says it would be helpful for us to discuss the agenda and to provide any additional
information you might find helpful ahead of the meeting. I can also liaise with Crown Office.
Are you free next week — Thursday? I can provide a draft agenda for us to consider in advance?
Saira Kapasi
Post Office C. Team
From: Ruth Buckley-Salmon ¢,
Sent: 22 November 2024 16:45
To: Cabinet Secretary
Cce:.Calum.Greenhow.:
iL GRO
Catriona Watt
Lord Advocate : Saira Kapas GRO
Subject: Re: Meeting between NFSP and" the Lord Advocatercaninet Secretary tor’ qubtice and
Home Affairs
Hello,
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That's not a problem about the online link. Thank you for the details. We'll look forward to seeing
the agenda.
Thanks,
Ruth
Sent from Outlook for iOS
From: Stuart.McLear on behalf of
CabSecforJHA@ GRO I
Sent: Friday, November.22. 2024 4:11 PM
<CabSecforJHA _
; Ruth Buckley-Salmon I.
<Saira.Kapasit.......
Subject: RE: Meeting between NFSP and the Lord Advocate/Cabinet Secretary for Justice and
Home Affairs
Hi Ruth
Just to confirm the meeting details (unfortunately we have been unable to access a Teams mtg room) for
this:
Time: 10:00 — 11:00
Date: Thursday 12 December
Location: Scottish Parliament (attendees should arrive at main visitor entrance a minimum 10-15
mins prior to meeting start time to get through security. Please let reception know you are in for a meeting
with Ms Angela Constance)
I have copied in my colleague Saira who will either be in touch, or someone from her team, to agree
agenda etc.
Any problems please let us know.
eruart MCLEAN
tf Mi ia
The Scottish Government I St Andrew's House, “Regent Road, EDINBURGH EH1 3DG
All e-mails and attachments sent by a Ministerial Private Office to any other official on behalf of a Minister relating to a decision, request or comment made
by a Minister, or a note of a Ministerial meeting, must be filed appropriately by the recipient. Private Offices do not keep official records of such e-mails or
attachments.
Scottish Ministers, Special advisers and the Permanent Secretary are covered by the terms of the Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016. See www.lobbying.scot
From: Stuart McLea
Home Affairs 2024
Sent: 19 November 2024 15:19
To: Ruth Buckley-Salmon I. GRO
and Home Affairs 2024
Cc: Calum Greenhow :
_} On Behalf Of Cabinet Secretary for Justice and
_I Cabinet Secretary for Justice
Catriona Watt
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Rohini Shah I GRO
‘Lord Advocate
Subject: RE: Meeting between NFSP. and I the Lord Advocate/Cabinet Secretary for Justice and
Home Affairs
Thanks Ruth
Will confirm if a Hybrid meeting is possible as soon as I can
Thanks.
STUART MCLEAN
Private. Secretary.to Cabinet Secretary fo!
GRO }IE:
t Andrew's House, Regent Road, EDINBURGH EH1 3DG
Angela Constance MSP
the Scottish Government I
All e-mails and attachments sent by a Ministerial Private Office to any other official on behalf of a Minister relating to a decision, request or comment made
by a Minister, or a note of a Ministerial meeting, must be filed appropriately by the recipient. Private Offices do not keep official records of such e-mails or
attachments.
Scottish Ministers, Special advisers and the Permanent Secretary are covered by the terms of the Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016. See www.lobbying scot
Subject: RE: Meeting between NFSP ‘and the Lord Advocate/Cabinet Secretary for Justice and
Home Affairs
Hello,
A meeting in person would be the preference, therefore, I am more than happy to bow out so that an online
option is not necessary.
Many thanks,
Ruth
Ruth Buckley-Salmon
Public Affairs Manager
The National Federation of SubPostmasters
NFSP00001474
NFSP00001474
W: www.nfsp.org.uk
#LOVEYOUR
LOCAL 98% of UK post offices are privately owned with
POSTOFFICE postmasters being self-empioyed investors in
their own small business.
From: Stuart. McLean@._ <Stuart. McLean: > On Behalf Of CabSecforJHAl GRO I
Sent: 19 November 2024 12
To: Ruth Buckley-Salman-:
Ce: Calum Greenhow :
>; Rohini Shah} GRO i
CabSecforJHA “GRO!
tween NFSP and the Lord Advocate/Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home
q
LordAdvocate Gi
Subject: RE: Me
Affairs
RO
Hi Ruth
Many thanks, just to confirm that 10.00am on 12 December is still good for both Ms Constance and the
Lord Advocate.
I can try and book a meeting room that has Teams facilities but they can sometimes be difficult to secure. If
you think that a meeting entirely virtual is easiest for yourselves we can certainly do that - let me know what
preference is for you and your colleagues.
Thanks again.
STUART MCLEAN
Private-Sacretan,to Cabinet Secretary for.lustice and Home. Affairs.: Angela Constance MSP
tT, GRO Ijm WE: GRO i
Th
All e-mails and attachments sent by a Ministerial Private Office to any other official on behalf of a Minister relating to a decision, request or comment made
by a Minister, or a note of a Ministerial meeting, must be filed appropriately by the recipient. Private Offices do not keep official records of such e-mails or
attachments.
Scottish Ministers, Special advisers and the Permanent Secretary are covered by the terms of the Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016. See www,lobbying.scot
From: Ruth Buckley-Salmon I GRO
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Sent: 11 November 2024 12:03
To: Cabj
Home Affairs
Hello,
Thank you for your email of the 8° November, and we note that the original did not reach for the reasons
you give.
Due to our involvement with the Post Office Horizon IT Public Inquiry, I can confirm that the date of 12th
December at 10am is suitable for us and we would be happy to meet in person at the Scottish Parliament.
This would include Calum Greenhow, NFSP CEO, Catriona Watt and Rohini Shah, our legal
representatives at Anderson Strathern. I am based in Shoreham so would require video access. Please let
know if this is an issue.
Regards,
Ruth
Ruth Buckley-Salmon
Public Affairs Manager
The National Federation of SubPostmasters
Evelyn House, 22 Windlesham Gardens
Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex BN43 5AZ
E: I GRO }
W: www.nfsp.org.uk
#LOVEYOUR :
LOCAL 98% of UK post offices are privately owned with
POSTOFFICE postmasters being self-employed investors in
their own small business,
NFSP00001474
NFSP00001474
From: Stuart.McLear
To: Ruth Buckley-SalmonI_ a
Ce: CabSecforJHA:
Subject: FW: Meet
Affairs
n NFSP and the Lord Advocate/Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home
Hi Ruth
I am following up on the email below from my colleague Kate. I have since discovered that our office had
been given an incorrect email address for yourself (getting letters in “nfsp” incorrect) as highlighted below. I
am therefore re-sending with our apologies and wonder whether either of the dates listed below are
possible. Happy to look at alternative dates if required.
Apologies again. It would be helpful if you could acknowledge safe receipt of this letter.
Many thanks.
STUART MCLEAN
Private Secretary t to Cabinet Sectelary for Justice and Home Affairs : Angela Constance MSP
the Scottish Government I St Andrew's House, Regent Road, EDINBURGH EH1 3DG
All e-mails and attachments sent by a Ministerial Private Office to any other official on behalf of a Minister relating to a decision, request or comment made
by a Minister, or a note of a Ministerial meeting, must be filed appropriately by the recipient. Private Offices do not keep official records of such e-mails or
attachments.
Scottish Ministers, Special advisers and the Permanent Secretary are covered by the terms of the Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016. See www.lobbying.scot
From: Kate Watsot
Home Affairs 2024
Sent: 22 October 2024 14:46
On Behalf Of Cabinet Secretary for Justice and
Cc: Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs 2024 <
Subject: Meeting between NSPF and the Lord Advocate/Cabin
Affairs
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NFSP00001474
Good afternoon,
Following the Cabinet Secretary’s letter (attached), I am reaching out to arrange a meeting
between NSPF and Ms Constance and the Lord Advocate.
Please let me know if you are available to meet on either of the following dates, this could be
virtual or in the Scottish Parliament:
+ 14:30 on Thursday 5 December
+ 10:00 on Thursday 12 December
Kind regards
Kate
Kate Watson - Deputy Private Secretary to Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs —
Angela Constance MSP
Scottish Government I St Andre’
J ws House, Regent Road, Edinburgh, EH1 3DG I
Email:
é
Scottish
See w
s, Special advisers and the Permanent Secretary are covered by the terms of the Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016.
scot
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Communications with the Scottish Government may be monitored or recorded in order
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