UKGI00006152
UKGI00006152
Department
for Business
Innovation & Skills
. 1 Victoria Street
Jeremy Wright MP London
House of Commons SWIHOET
London
SWIA 0AA
October 2015
regarding the Post
427.
Following concerns raised by some postmasters and MPs, the Post Office’s Horizon IT
system has been subject to thorough scrutiny over the past three years. As part of this
process, Post Office commissioned an independent firm, Second Sight, to examine the
system and they have produced two independent reports, the most recent of which came out
in April this year. The Horizon system is also independently tested and audited every year
as is standard practice with large IT systems.
Alongside these investigations, Post Office established a mediation scheme to enable
current and former postmasters to have their individual cases reviewed, and seek to resolve
any issues. This scheme includes an independent investigation and report by Second Sight
for each individual case. The mediation scheme was established jointly by Post Office and
the representatives of affected groups. This mediation process is independent of
Government.
Mediation can be a useful way of seeking resolution to disputes, but it is a voluntary
process and it is not appropriate in every case. The mediation process cannot overturn a
court judgement. Where an individual has a criminal conviction that they feel is unsafe,
they can consider whether to go to the Court of Appeal or raise their case with the Criminal
Cases Review Commission (CCRC). I understand that a number of individuals with
prosecutions have contacted the CCRC, and this is an independent process in which the
Government cannot intervene.
UKGI00006152
UKGI00006152
I understand the concerns that your constituent has raised and I hope you will appreciate
that the Government does not influence the day-to-day operation of the Post Office, but
allows it to operate independently as a commercial business.
Post Office is happy to meet any MP to discuss this matter, or to talk through details of
individual constituents’ cases, if the individual gives their consent. Your constituent can
contact Angela Van Den Bogerd at Post Office to arrange this. Her email address is
angela.van-den-bogerd(__ !
I hope this information is helpful to address your constituent’s concerns.
SAJID JAVID
The Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP
Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and President of the Board of Trade