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From: Patrick Bourkef
Sent: Mon 24/06/2019 2:23:57 PM (UTC)
To: Mark R Davies{_ Rodric
i ; Melanie Corfieldj,
ngela Van-Den-Bo:
Mark Underwood?’
Subject: RE: STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL AND LEGALLY PRIVILEGED Fwd: Another computer error
Yes, I will.
Best wishes
Patrick
From: Mark R Davies
Sent: 24 June 2019 15:06
To: Rodric Williams <.
Corfield <t~
Melanie
ngela Van-Den-Bogerd
Mark Underwood?
Subject: RE: TRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL AND LEGALLY PRIVILEGED Fwd: Another computer error
No harm in Al having this note as well as the main briefing. Can you send it all on to him Patrick?
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
From: Rodric Williams
Sent: Monday, June 24, 2019 2:36:29 PM
To: Mark R Davies; Patrick Bourke; Melanie Corfield; Ben Foat; Angela Van-Den-Bogerd; Mark Underwood
Subject: RE: STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL AND LEGALLY PRIVILEGED Fwd: Another computer error
All —in case it is of use, I attach an email summary I sent to Tom Wechsler for Paula on the Misra case as at 1 July
2016.
We are considering how best to approach criminal cases generally, which would include whether we should
revisit/refresh the advice sought and received on Misra to see if it still holds good. That is not however something
that I would want to be shared with Mr McCormack or otherwise publicly.
Rod
From: Rodric Williams
Sent: 24 June 2019 14:24
To: Mark I R Davies <,
Patrick Bourke >; Melanie
; Angela Van-Den-Bogerd
>; Mark U nderwoo
Subject: RE: STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL AND LEGALLY PRIVILEGED Fwd: Another computer error
All — I’ve made a couple of comments as per the attached.
Based on his previous communications, Mr McCormack may well want to discuss the Seema Misra case. Should Al be
briefed on this as well?
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Rod
From: Mark R Davies
Sent: 24 June 2019 14:10
To: Patrick Bourke ¢
Foat <f
Rodric Williams
Subject: RE: STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL AND LEGALLY PRIVILEGED Fwd: Another computer error
Many thanks everyone. I’m content.
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From: Patrick Bourke
Sent: Monday, June 24, 2019 12:54:40 PM
To: Mark R Davies; Melanie Corfield; Ben Foat; Angela Van-Den-Bogerd; Mark UnderwoodsssRodric Williams
Subject: RE: STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL AND LEGALLY PRIVILEGED Fwd: Another computer error
With many thanks to Mel, here is a note for Al ahead of his conversation with Tim McCormack — could you please say
whether or not you are content and, if not, suggest any changes you would like to see ?
Many thanks
Patrick
From: Mark R Davies
Sent: 24 June 2019 10:28
To: Melanie Corfield
Patrick Bourke
Underwood:
Subject: RE: STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL AND LEGALLY PRIVILEGED Fwd: Another computer error
Thanks Mel
I just want Al to understand the background and the risks so e.g. he needs to be aware of meetings
TM had with PV, calls, emails and of course his referral of her to the police.
Thanks
M
From: Melanie Corfield
Sent: 24 June 2019 07:55
To: Ben Foat Patrick Bourke Angela Van-Den-
Bogerd <i ; Mark R Davies <i GRO, ~k>; Mark
Underwood... GRO Rodric Williams <
Subject: Re: STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL AND LEGALLY PRIVILEGED Fwd: Another computer error
Ben & Rod
If it helps I have the correspondence with Mr McCormack on file, including Rod's letters to him when he
was regularly emailing Paula, so have pulled key exchanges out. I can send draft brief with these round
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later on.
Mel
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From: Ben Foat
Sent: Sunday, June 23, 2019 6:39:43 PM
To: Patrick Bourke; Angela Van-Den-Bogerd; Mark R Davies; Melanie Corfield; Mark Underwood,
Subject: Re: STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL AND LEGALLY PRIVILEGED Fwd: Another computer error
‘odric Williams
All
I’ve emailed Rod- we can pick all of this up tomorrow given that Al is not speaking to Him until 6pm tomorrow.
Kind regards
Ben Foat
General Counsel
t Office Limited _
From: Patrick Bourke
Sent: Sunday, June 23, 2019 6:34:37 PM
To: Angela Van-Den-Bogerd; Mark R Davies; Melanie Corfield; Mark UnderwoodzBen Foat; Rodric Williams
Subject: Re: STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL AND LEGALLY PRIVILEGED Fwd: Another computer error
Thanks Angela
If I’m not mistaking him for someone else, I have a feeling we asked that all his correspondence to Paula should go to
Rod/legal for treatment, given the increasingly personal nature of the correspondence.
Rod, is that right ?
Many thanks
Patrick
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From: Angela Van-Den-Bogerd
Sent: Sunday, June 23, 2019 5:56:23 PM
To: Patrick Bourke; Mark R Davies; Melanie Corfield; Mark Underwoodi=3 Ben Foat; Rodric Williams
Subject: RE: STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL AND LEGALLY PRIVILEGED Fwd: Another computer error
All,
This is all I can find on my lap top. I did have email exchanges with TC but they have I believed archived. Pretty much
what came my way from TC did so via Paula so Avene would no doubt have a file on TC correspondence.
Angela
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Angela Van Den Bogerd
Business Improvement Director
1* Floor, Ty Brwydran,
Atlantic Close,Llansamlet
Swansea SA7 9FJ
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This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any
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reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.
From: Angela Van-Den-Bogerd
Sent: 23 June 2019 16:59
To: Patrick Bourke <!
Corfield =
{ GRO Rodric Williams <i GRO
Subject: RE: STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL AND LEGALLY PRIVILEGED Fwd: Another c
+; Mark R Davies <}
ea
omputer error
All
I’m in Chesterfield tomorrow but contactable if I’m needed for anything. In the meantime I’Il see what I have if
anything (it’s been a couple of years since I’ve spoken with Tim M) on my laptop and will forward if I find anything.
Angela
Angela Van Den Bogerd
Business Improvement Director
1* Floor,Ty Brwydran,
Atlantic Close,Llansamlet
Swansea SA7 9FJ
00
Confidential Information:
This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any
unauthorised review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient please contact me by
reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.
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From: Patrick Bourke
Sent: 23 June 2019 13 8
To: Mark R Davies < >; Melanie Corfield <
GRO.
Sunnsunnituninunaniansearrvanunniannianniuniia
Mark
>; Rodric Williams
Subject: Re: STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL AND LEGALLY PRIVILEGED Fwd: Another computer error
Mark
Understood. I don’t have the record of his various contacts over the years, but I am sure we can combine forces and
that between us we do.
Patrick
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From: Mark R Davies
Sent: Sunday, June 23, 2019 12:33:37 PM
To: Patrick Bourke; Melanie Corfield; Mark Underwood3 Ben Foat; Rodric Williams; Angela Van-Den-Bogerd
Subject: STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL AND LEGALLY PRIVILEGED Fwd: Another computer error
All
Al has agreed to talk to Tim McCormack tomorrow evening.
He will need a brief: Patrick, please can you lead on pulling this together. Clearly it needs input from Ben’s team.
I suggest it should include brief details of the issues he has raised over the years, details of meetings and calls held
and suggested points to make.
We can discuss tomorrow Patrick/Mel if you are around but by all means do call me today if helpful.
It would be good to have something to share with Al by lunchtime tomorrow.
Sorry to intrude on your Sundays.
Mark
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From: Alisdair Cameron
Sent: Sunday, June 23, 2019 12:00:11 PM
To: Mark R Davies; Ben Foat; Rob Houghton
Subject: Re: Another computer error
Ok I have arranged to talk between 6-9pm tomorrow, Monday so please arrange the brief and I have read the blog -
which seems to represent passionately and honestly held views. Talk tomorrow Al
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From: Mark R Davies
Sent: Sunday, June 23, 2019 11:34:53 AM
To: Alisdair Cameron; Ben Foat; Rob Houghton
Subject: Re: Another computer error
Ok. My advice is to wait before speaking to him so that we can brief you. But if you are speaking today, please be
aware that as you do it is a direct line to likely public comment/journalists. I’m uneasy about saying more on email.
I suggest you read his blog https://problemswithpol.wordpress.com in some depth before speaking to him.
I also suggest giving Angela a call: she has dealt with him on many occasions over the last seven years.
M
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From: Alisdair Cameron
Sent: Sunday, June 23, 2019 11:30:29 AM
To: Mark R Davies; Ben Foat; Rob Houghton
Subject: Re: Another computer error
I want to speak to him today so I can hear the issue and we can make a judgment on it. I won’t commit us to anything.
I am aware of some of the background so if there is stuff I need to know, please get it to me - email or phone - this
morning. Many thanks Al
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From: Mark R Davies <{
Sent: Sunday, June 23, 2019 11:26 am
To: Alisdair Cameron; Ben Foat; Rob Houghton
Subject: Re: Another computer error
Al - strongly advise getting a brief from Ben/Rod before you do. There is a long history here and it’s well worth having
the background. Paula had many meetings and calls with him. Mark
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From: Alisdair Cameron
Sent: Sunday, June 23, 2019 11:24:17 AM
To: Ben Foat; Rob Houghton; Mark R Davies
Subject: Fwd: Another computer error
FYI I will speak to him. Al
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From: Tim McCormack }
Sent: Sunday, June 23, 2019 11:18 am
To: Alisdair Cameron
Subject: Re: Another computer error
Dear Al
Please call me Tim if you don't mind.
Iam greatly encouraged by what you say with regard to criticism. I regard that as far more
important than praise and as you say, when it is justified it can only lead to making things
better.
The error in question is serious. Details of it are being treated as confidential within my circles
and it is pretty certain that the media will be publishing something on it fairly soon. Breaking
that confidence with the people I trust could have consequences I suppose - most notably that
I will not be party to future disclosures.
However my interest in matters to do with Post Office will cease after the CCRC report back on
the Seema Misra case, presumably with a return to the Appeal court so it doesn't matter too
much I suppose. So perhaps we could have a quick chat and I will let you know what I have
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heard. I would really hope that you have been told all about it already but given the inaction
of the Helpline and FSC in responding (the SPMR was told that it would take a week or so for
the FSC to get in touch) I doubt it. As Paula pointed out when I first told her about
Dalmellington her main concern was the lackadaisical response to what was a £24k loss. This
is a similar amount!
Although I might pop out for a bit
minutes and can be contacted o!
ring the rest of the day, I finish working in a couple of
Kind regards
Tim
From: Alisdair Cameron
Sent: 23 June 2019 10:42
To: Tim McCormack
Subject: Re: Another computer error
Dear Mr McCormack,
Thank you so much for contacting me, I do appreciate it.
I agree we share an absolute focus on building a sustainable network for our customers and that must involve a closer
partnership with Postmasters.
You will see that I am making very substantial changes in advisers and culture and I suspect there may not prove to be
as much difference between us as you assume. Certainly I have no dislike of you and as I say repeatedly within PO,
criticism, challenge and questioning should not be taken as attacks to be defended but as opportunities to do better.
If you are aware of any computer issue then I would be very grateful if you would share the detail with me so I can
ensure it is investigated. In exchange I will happily sit down with you and explain what we find. Nothing is perfect and
if there is an issue we are best off acknowledging and addressing it.
Kind regards
Al
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From: Tim McCormack <”
Sent: Sunday, June 23, 2019 10:31 am
To: Alisdair Cameron
Subject: Another computer error
Dear Mr Cameron
I have no idea if you know of me or not but as was mentioned in Court, your predecessor certainly was and I believe
she took me reasonably seriously. I can also be reasonably certain that she and I had a mutual dislike for each other
and I would expect that to be the case with yourself. However all three of us must surely share a common purpose
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and that is to see a strong and profitable Post Office network run for the benefit of ALL its members, be they
customers, subpostmasters, employees or indeed the government as the owner.
We obviously differ entirely in how that could and should be achieved and I make no apology for insisting that the
first step would be to replace the entire management team that has led the network to this crisis point. Your team in
the court room has stated that in so many words — if the claimants win it will be an existential risk to the company. I
would interpret that risk as being more to do with the sustainability of the network given the bad publicity that will
result and more people will be reluctant to take on a Post Office branch.
I have thought long and hard about bothering to write to you about the information I have to hand given that it will be
of more use to the claimants than yourself but I think it is worthy of a last shot at convincing the CEO of Post Office Ltd
that the people you rely on to provide you with the information you need to make decisions are at best ignorant of
what is actually going on or perhaps more likely totally incompetent.
I don’t know what they have brought to your attention recently but the single most important piece of information
you should be dealing with right now is a new error in your computer systems that, as it stands, cannot be introduced
into the current trial but should be. This error places the boot on the other foot so to speak and it is for POL to
discover not SPMRs. It is not just the error that you should be concerned with it is the fact that your company has
learned nothing from the past and the revelations in court. Nothing has changed and it won’t as long as these people
remain in a complete state of denial that the events that are unfolding now have occurred in the past and will occur
again in the future. No amount of counter measures that Dr Worden has helpfully suggested might be in place can
change the problem of the culture and ability of the people you should be able to trust.
The solution to all of this is perfectly simple. Second Sight was stopped from exploring further and finding the true
extent of the problems inherent in your organisation. They need to be re-appointed to finish what they started and
they need the support of someone who wants to discover the truth and who is willing to make the changes to prevent
any re-occurrence.
Finally, consider this, and I must assume you have done so in the past, but do it again now. How could POL have
prevented this trial? What steps should have been taken from the very start of the introduction of Horizon and how
should the relationship between subpostmasters and POL have been handled? You need to answer these questions
and implement the solutions to ensure that POL has no need to revisit these matters once again in the not too distant
future. The people that are responsible for the current state of affairs are not part of the solution.
With the best of intentions
Yours sincerely
Tim McCormack
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