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POL00232847
From the Rt Hon Greg Clark MP
P2036
HOUSE OF COMMONS
LONDON SWI1A 0AA
27 March 2015
Paula Vennells
Chief Executive
Post Office Ltd
148 Old Street
London EC1V 9HQ
30 MAK 2055
oan Phe Verne
I have been in correspondence with my constituent, Mrs Pauline Thomson
LGRO
Mrs Thomson received the enclosed letter last month, only a couple of
days after being told that her case would proceed to mediation.
My constituent is understandably greatly concerned by this change in
position and I would be grateful if it could be reviewed.
Telephone: mail: greg.clark.mpf
Website: www.gregclark.org
5" February 2015
Dear Ms Thomson
Post Office Initial Complaint Review and Mediation Scheme (the “Scheme”)
I am writing in connection to your application to the Scheme.
You will be aware that your case has been looked at afresh and thoroughly re-investigated by Post
Office. Your case has also been considered by the Scheme’s independent forensic accountants,
Second Sight Support Services Ltd. The reports of both of these investigations have been shared with
you.
As you will know, Second Sight recommended that the question of responsibility for losses incurred
in your branch should be mediated. tn the event, the Scheme’s Working Group considered that the
issue was suitable for mediation on a deferred basis.
I regret to inform you that, after careful consideration, Post Office takes a different view and has
decided against proceeding to mediation in your particular case for the reasons I set out below.
Responsibility for Losses
Post Office considers that the question of responsibility for the losses suffered in your branch was
appropriately addressed at the time of the suspension of your contract with Post Office on 12
September 2008 and your subsequent prosecution and conviction. It remains Post Office’s view that
the conclusions drawn at the time were correct and nothing in our own re-investigation, nor in the
Review of your case by Second Sight, represents a challenge to that position.
Consequential Loss Claim
I am aware that your Case Questionnaire Response (CQR) contained an unparticularised claim for
costs and compensation. Post Office is firmly of the view that it did not act in any way by which it
could be held liable to you for the losses you are now claiming.
Mediation
Because there is no issue of substance which mediation could either address or resolve, Post Office
POL00232847
_ POL00232847
Post Office Limited
148 Old Street
LONDON
ECAV 9HO
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POL00232847
Post Office Limited
148 Oid Street
LONDON
ECAV 9HO
Confidential - Not to be disclosed outside of the Scheme and mediation
has ‘decided against proceeding to that stage in this particular case since we do not believe
mediation offers any realistic prospect of resolving your dispute with Post Office. We are writing to
the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution to this effect. in the circumstances, Post Office considers
your complaint to the Scheme is now concluded.
{ understand that this news will come as a disappointment to you. I nevertheless hope that the
extensive investigations undertaken both by Post Office and Second Sight will have demonstrated
our determination carefully to consider al) of the concerns you raised in your application in a
detailed, comprehensive and independently verified fashion.
1am copying this letter to your professional adviser.
Angela Van Den Bogerd
Head of Partnerships
Post Office Limited
www.bosteffice.co.uk
Post OF reat, Londan, EC1Y 9H.
Post Of
2154540, Registered Offs 148 Oid
3 in England
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