POL00043283 - Email attaching briefing paper on POL/WBD’s decision not to call Gareth Jenkins as a witness in HIT trial in group litigation. Email itself includes summary of reasons. Email from Andrew Parsons to Rodric Williams re Gareth Jenkins briefing

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POL00043283
POL00043283

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_} Watts, Alan
t Jonathan Gribbei
Subject: Gareth Jenkins briefing [WBDUK-AC.FID2
Attachments: Briefing on Gareth Jenkins 14 Nov 2019.pdf

Ben

As mentioned yesterday, we expect the HIT judgment may make some adverse comments about Post Office not calling
Gareth Jenkins as a witness. I'm conscious that you were not involved when these issues were addressed so in case
you/we need to explain this internally at Post Office, we have prepared the attached briefing note that explains the
background to this matter.

In summary:

e Gareth was the main witness about Horizon for many years in many prosecutions for Post Office.

e His evidence gave a firm impression that there were no bugs in Horizon even though there were bugs and he
knew there were bugs.

e This issue was identified in 2013, advice taken from Cartwright King and further disclosures given in line with Post
Office's prosecution duties.

e Given the above problem, we could not call Gareth as a witness in the HIT. This left us to rely on other
witnesses, principally Torstein Godeseth who performed very badly in the witness box. As a result the Judge may
also draw adverse inferences from us not calling Gareth.

Kind regards
Andy

Andrew Parsons
Partner
Wombie Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP

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