UKGI00001408 - Letter from Stephen Hepburn MP to Edward Davey MP re: Caroll Riddell - East Boldon Post Office - Issues with Horizon

Evidence on official site

UKGI00001408

UKGI00001408

Constituency Office Address:

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TY 141 Tedco Busipess Centre

x Viking Industrial Estate
Jarrow, Tyne &I Wear NE32 3DT

GRO

HOUSE OF COMMONS

LONDON SWI1A 0AA
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STEPHEN HEPBURN, M.P, JARRow CONSTITUENCY

aos 24" February 2012

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\ I 23 FEB 2012

Edward Davey MP I .

Parliamentary Under-Secret co

Department for Business, fnnovation and Skills
1 Victoria Street

London

SW1H 0OET

Dear Minister

I have been contacted by Mrs Carol Riddell, of East Boldon Post Office, 93-95 Front Street,
East Boldon, NE36 OSA. Mrs Riddell is a sub-postmaster and runs East Boldon Post Office,
acting as an agent on behalf of Post Office Ltd. She informs me that she would like to raise
concerns of the difficulties faced by sub-postmasters such as the use of the computerised
accounting and electronic system called Horizon. Mrs Riddell informs me that the system is
difficult to use and over time she found discrepancies in her accounts that she was unable to
explain. Mrs Riddell has informed me that she suffered significant financial loss due to the
losses incurred using this system and was subsequently suspended from her contract) with
Post Office Limited. Mrs Riddell strongly maintains that it is not possible, when using the
Horizon system, to establish the reason for any discrepancy and believes the system maybe to
blame for the discrepancies that have occurred. I am informed by Mrs Riddell that although
she has since been reinstated by Post Office Limited she has had to dismiss two] staff
members, both of whom are close trusted family members. This situation has caused a great
deal of distress to Mrs Riddell and her family and Mrs Riddell informs me that she and other
sub-postmasters.are pursuing legal action against Post Office Limited for breach of contract.
Therefore, I would be grateful if you could look into Mrs Riddell’s concerns and let me know
your comments.

Stephen Hapburh MP —