POL00027747
POL00027747
Gavin
I Paula
4} Chris Aujard[t_
4 Thur 11/12/2014 9:25:34 AM (UTC)
Subject: FW: Sparrow update
Please find below an update from Mark and Chris Aujard
Thanks
Alwen
Dear All
We just wanted to give a quick update on the latest developments. We previously alerted you to the potential
for some media coverage about the Scheme which materialised as expected. The coverage was generally
limited and revolved around individual cases and was fronted by James Arbuthnot. The issue quickly moved
down the day's news agenda.
Today we have heard that there is to be a parliamentary debate about the Scheme on 17 December and we
are working with BIS to ensure the Minister is properly briefed.
We also discovered that JFSA has instructed a legal firm, Edwin Coe, to “pursue the rights" of
subpostmasters whose claims Post Office is currently seeking to address through the Scheme. JFSA has not
informed us of this (we learned about it through social media) and the nature of the instruction is not clear.
We have this evening written to JFSA and Edwin Coe for more information about their intention in relation
to the Scheme and the Working Group. Our next steps will be informed by their response. As a
precautionary measure we have temporarily suspended JF'SA's access to scheme information. We are also
writing to Second Sight to suspend any activity on the Scheme and ask them to have no contact with
applicants until we have more information. We also have a media handling plan in place and intend to
communicate with applicants remaining in the Scheme. In the meantime we are continuing to investigate the
few remaining cases.
We will, as ever, keep you informed of developments
Regards
Mark and Chris