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From:
Sent:
To:
virginia. holm
Alasdair Marnochf GRO
Ce:
Cameronf:
Jane MacLe
Neil Hayward[é ~~~
Nicholas
Subject: Additional Sparrow email to the Board
Please find below a message from Mark
Thanks
Alwen
Dear All
I am attaching with apologies an updated version of of the Executive
Summary in relation to today's announcement on Sparrow. The earlier
version had a few words missing at the end.
It is worth stressing that we are likely to face some significant media and
possibly parliamentary noise today. The strategy is to keep this to a
minimum, hence we have pared back our public documents; our press
notice is short and to the point.
There are however some journalists whose interest in this issue will
mean they will find a way to report on it. Our hope is that we can restrict
this and keep as low profile as possible.
We will update colleagues later in the day.
1. Executive Summary
1. The Post Office is an essential part of the fabric of the nation. It is of
vital importance that all those who work in the business, and their
customers, can have confidence in the systems which underpin its
work.
2. In 2012, the Post Office commissioned Second Sight Support
Services Limited to carry out an independent reviewof its Horizon
computer system, which is supplied to the Post Office by Fujitsu
Services Limited, in response to allegations by a small number of
former Postmasters about the integrity of that system. Second Sight
reported on their investigation in July 2013.
3. The investigation found no evidence of system-wide issues with
Horizon and its associated processes. However, it did point to areas
where the Post Office could have done more to
support Postmasters, for instance in the support they received. In
response, the Post Office set up a Branch Support Programme
which led to the introduction of a number of important new
measures, set out in this report.
4. Following publication of Second Sight’s conclusions in 2013,
the Post Office also set up a Complaint Review and Mediation
Scheme (the Scheme) to examine individual cases and, where
appropriate, provide a forum to assist theirresolution
through mediation. The Scheme was set up in consultation with
Members of Parliament (MPs), the Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance
(JFSA) and Second Sight and overseen by a Working Group chaired by
Sir Anthony Hooper, a former Court of Appeal Judge.
5. 136 cases were admitted into the Scheme. The Post Office has now
completed thorough investigations into each one. Nothing has been
found in any of the cases to suggest Horizon has not worked as it
should.
6. Where the facts indicate genuine grievances, for example that the
support provided in a particular instance fell short of the
desired standards, those issues are being discussed with Applicants
and a number of complaints have been resolved.
7. However, many cases are based on allegations which, following
investigation, are not supported by the evidence.
8. Having completed all its investigations, the Post Office has now
decided to put forward for mediation all cases remaining in the Scheme
except those that have been subject to a previous Court ruling. This will
accelerate the conclusion of the Scheme in the interests of Applicants
and ensure that commitments made to Applicants at the outset are met.
9. The mediation process will continue to be overseen by the Centre for
Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR). The Post Office will also seek
to continue to make an independent review by forensic accountants
Second Sight, available to Applicants where this has not already been
provided. The Post Office will also work with Second Sight to support
completion of their further thematic report in order that it is available to
inform the ongoing mediation process.
10. For those Applicants who have been the subject of court rulings,
two important points need to be drawn out. Firstly, we will continue to
consider each of these cases carefully, on a case by case basis, even
though mediation cannot overturn a court’s ruling.
11. Secondly, as prosecutor Post Office has a continuing duty after a
prosecution has concluded to disclose immediately any information that
subsequently comes to light which might undermine its prosecution
case or support the case of the defendant. Having now completed its
reinvestigation of each of the cases, Post Office has found no reason to
conclude that any original prosecution was unsafe. Applicants remain
able to pursue the normal legal avenues open to them to appeal court
rulings with any further material disclosed to them, including that
produced through the Scheme.
12. In all cases including those subject to court rulings, (if Applicants
give their consent) the Post Office continues to be prepared to discuss
individual cases, in confidence with relevant Members of Parliament or
indeed to meet separately with individual Applicants to discuss their
cases.
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13. The approach set out above will help to bring the mediation process
to a conclusion earlier than previously envisaged. It will also bring to an
end the role of the Working Group
which previously recommended whether a case is suitable to go to
mediation or not.
14. It has been a long and difficult process to reach this position.
However, while it has been challenging, it has also been productive.
The Post Office is a better business for the steps that have been and will
continue to be taken.
Mark Davies
Communicati
Corporate Affairs Director
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