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Message
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject: RE: Project Venus - Privileged and Confidential
- Draft Note of Advice
Understood. Thanks.
Nick Read
Group CEO
E
_GRO __
100 Wood Street
London EC2V 7AN
postoffice.co.uk
From: Martin Roberts:
Sent: 25 September 2023 08:00
To: Nick Read
Subject: RE: Project Venus - Privileged and Confidential - Draft Note of Advice
Nick,
Just for clarity Elliot has not paid anything back to date following the review and we were waiting for the Norton Rose
feedback and Henry and your agreement to close this matter and Elliot would then agree to pay back the £16,977 in the
normal way.
Best
Martin
From: Nick Read ¢
Sent: 25 September 2023 07:37
To: Henry Staunton ( "GRO —_ P
Subject: RE: Project Venus - Privileged and Confidential - ‘Draft Note of Advice
No, Henry. Its not my view nor Martin’s that this should be taken further. I think we need to bring this to a conclusion,
quickly.
It is clearly unsatisfactory. ‘Grey’ in many areas but on the balance of reasonableness, you should speak to him about the
process, the findings and our desire to learn lessons and move on.
Nick
Nick Read
Group CEO
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100 Wood Street
London EC2V 7AN
postoffice.co.uk
From: Henry Staunton I ~ GRO i
Sent: 24 September 2023 22:08
To: Nick Read <"
Subject: Fwd: Project Vel
Nick,
ELLIOT JACOBS
Do you and the GE have anything to add to the note from Ben ?
In view of all the issues with regard to our treatment of Postmasters at the Inquiry I am not sure we are well placed to
take this further .
The Established Loss was only £16,977 and this arose ( according to Martin ) over many years . I understand EJ has
settled this . The amount does not seem material or anywhere close in terms of the throughput in EJ's branches .
The note says EJ " cooperated " .
Any severe censure ( such as asking for his resignation ) may be regarded as PO breaching its contractual duty to act"
reasonably " .
There seems to be a PO complaint that EJ did not always highlight " Conlicts " in that he was a Postmaster . He might
reasonably argue that it was well known that he was a Postmaster !
When I spoke to Martin I formed the impression that the matter was closed as far as he was concerned . Clearly not ?
Is it your and the GE's view that this should be taken further ? I worry what the Inquiry would make of that .
Henry
Henry Staunton
Chairman
100 Wood Street, London, EC2V 7ER
postoffice.co.uk
Executive Assistant: } _ GRO _ E
I work flexibly — so whilst it suits me to email outside of normal working hours, I do not expect a response during that time.
From: Ben Foat
Sent: Friday, September 22, 2023 6:16:05 PM
To: Henry Staunton i ~~ GRO nb Benjamin Tidswell
<f GRO “"$; Amanda Burton ¢ “— GRO “; Nick Read
Lorna Gratton § “GRO ~
t — GRO i
Subject: Project Venus - Privileged and Confidential - Draft Note of Advice
Dear Henry, Ben, Amanda, Lorna and Nick
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As you are aware an investigation was raised following concerns over shortfalls in Elliott Jacobs branches. The reports
and the legal analysis of these reports have taken some time to finalise.
A legal risk note which I received on the 19‘ of September is attached. External lawyers have reviewed the information
provided in the Project Venus interim investigation reports dated 20 November 2022 and 30 June 2023, together with the
Central Operations Director Report dated 28 July 2023 (the COD Report), (collectively the Venus Reports). We have
summarised the key considerations we believe the decision makers should be mindful of in determining the appropriate
course of action towards Venus / the Corporate Postmaster with respect to their appointments as NED and Postmaster.
In summary:
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In the meantime, I hope you have a lovely weekend.
Kind regards
Ben
Ben Foat (He/Him)
Group General Counsel
100 Wood Street
London
I work flexibly — so whilst it suits me to email outside normal working hours, I do not expect a response during that time.
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