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STRICTLY PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL AND LEGALLY PRIVILEGED
QUTLINE HANDLING STRATEGY FOR SPARROW
Aim
To get on the front foot and mitigate against reputational challenge following a decision to offer
mediation in all non-criminal caseselese/ehange-the Scheme.
Objectives
Explain position, limit media coverage, manage stakeholders to minimise adverse comment or
further campaigning, minimise parliamentary risk, limit on-going reputational exposure.
Advice Tactics I advisors (BrusnwickBrunswick}:
+ Asimple press statement supported by publication of Post Office report on the
processas-soon-as-we are ready is-all that is required.
+ Likelihood and timing of a Select Committee report isnot a key consideration. No
further hearings will be held and given time restrictions prior to purdah, whether a
report will be produced is in the balance
+ However, tThe greater risk is Second Sight's Part Two Report. Leaking or
publication would put us on the back foot, and make any announcement to change
the Scheme appear reactive.
* The sooner we announce, the more likely we are to “own” the story
'. - +_-{Formatted: Font: Bold )
Key messages (Srunswick are-drafting statement) Formatted: Normal, indent: Left: 0.63 cm )
+ Post Office is now offering mediation for all cases, except a small number that
involve criminal convictions.
+ This will speed up the process and provide further reassurance for the majority
applicants that their case will be mediated.
+ We have now investigated every case. The-small minority (it is just under half) of
cases in the Scheme that involve criminal convictions have all been subject to the
same rigorous investigation and review process as other cases. No evidence has
been found or put forward that suggests any convictions are unsafe.
+ The Scheme cannot overturn criminal convictions — only the courts can do that.
+_We are making this change so that we can focus on fulfilling our commitments to
applicants. That is where our focus must lie. ___~— [ Formatted: Font: Bold, (intl) Trebuchet MS }
+ Each applicant will continue to have exactly what we promised ~ thorough
reinvestigation and review by independent forensic accountants
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Resources
List of media targets
List of political targets
Press statement
Q&A (for internal use)
Post Office Report
Email to MPs with a case in the Scheme
+ Letter to applicants
Briefing for NFSP (121 — Mark D)?Shared-NFSP announcement
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Strategy/Timeline
when What how who
Day-5 Brief Minister and officials Tw
Day-2_I Inform SAH Ipvica
Day -1 Send letter to applicants Sparrow team
Day -1 Brief NESP Pv
Day -1 Written Ministerial Question tabled Tw
Day 0 Inform $s
Day 0 Inform JFSA
Dayo Applicants receive letter I
Dayo I Press notice setting out our position I proactive issue to all I MC/RB
—simple, factual, high level. media. Or issue to PA
only.
Day 0 Written Ministerial Statement Bis/TW
Dayo I Brief Kevan Jones MP Phone call UH
Dayo ‘Brief all MPs in the Scheme to offer I Email oH I
further meetings
Dayo Brief supportive MPs, All Party Email JH
Group (Russell Brown MP, Richard
Graham MP), MPs who spoke in WH
debate (but not in the scheme)
Dayo Inform Opposition spokesman (lan I Phone call JH
Murray MP)
Dayo Inform Select Committee Chair Phone call JH
Dayo Inform Select Committee Clerk Email PO Report and JH
press notice
Dayo Publish Post Office Report PO website
Risks
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Risk
Mitigation
Widespread adverse media:
Proactive media approach
SS Part Two Report:
Early POL announcement.
Urgent Question tabled in Parliament
Select committee report is negative:
Written ministerial statement
Proactive, early media approach
Select committee may convene a further session
Unlikely given number of concurrent inquiries
Incoming minister orders inquiry
Risk exists in all scenarios, mitigated if change
announced earlier
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