UKGI00006961 - Email from Laura Thompson to SPADS Clark, SpAD Clark MPST Clark MPST and others re Post Office: Potential weekend story on litigation

Evidence on official site

UKGI00006961
UKGI00006961

From: Thompson, Laura - UKGI[/O=HMT/OU=EXCHANGE ADMINISTRATIVE GROUP
(FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/CN=RECIPIENTS/CN=9A426CD91CE84F889F 8A5FB135BCDA49-
THOMPSON, LAURA (LTH]

Sent: Fri 29/07/2016 1:26:40 PM (UTC)

To: SpAd Clark .
} Clark MPST}. _i James
Ce: French Claire (Co } Barker Matthew
(Communications) Callard, Richard -
UKG'!
Subject: Post Office: potential weekend story on litigation
Sarah cc. Sophie, Auryn

There is currently civil litigation underway in the High Court against the Post Office by a group of c.200 individuals,
mostly former postmasters (postmasters are essentially “franchisees” of Post Office Limited). The claims relate to the
Post Office’s “Horizon” IT system, and accusations that Post Office has treated its agents unfairly. There is a chance
that there could be some media interest in this issue over the weekend, because Post Office have today sent a letter
to the claimants’ solicitor, which will be shared with the claimants and could therefore be made public.

This is a legal matter and the operational responsibility of Post Office Limited, the company which manages the Post
Office network. As such, our advice would be not to comment, and for Press Office to pass any media enquiries to
Post Office directly. This is the approach we have taken previously on this issue — please let me know if you think
SpAds or Ministers would disagree.

We will provide full briefing on this issue to Ministers — this is flagged in the Day One briefing pack, and we have also
included in our briefing to Margot James.

If you have any questions do give me a call — contact numbers below, and I can be reached on the mobile number
over the weekend if needed.

Many thanks.
Laura

Laura Thompson I Assistant Director
UK Government Investments
1 Victoria Street I London I SW1H OET