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From: Cooper, Tom - UKGI[/O=EXCHANGELABS/OU=EXCHANGE ADMINISTRATIVE GROUP
(FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/CN=RECIPIENTS/CN=97888B27D7034E80AB21DE4583305D52-
THOMAS.COOP]
Sent: Tue 19/11/2019 8:47:05 AM (UTC)
To: Aldred, Tom - UKGI} GRO I Watson, Richard -
UKGE_ tf; Joshua - UKGE_
Subject: Fwd: [OFF:SEN - LEGAL] Advice - Approval For Settlement Offer in Post Office Ltd. (POL)
Litigation - CALL WITH MINISTER TOLHURST readout
Does this mean BEIS is done?
Have we told HMT?
Tom
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
From: "Tolhurst (Private Office)" {
Date: 18 November 2019 at_l
"SpAds Office (Private Office)"
Ce: "Cooper, Tom - UKGI"
Services..Retail &Post.Nirestorate)
135°) "Watson, Richard - UKGI" ween GRO nd
‘Robson, Hugo (Business
, Cecilia (Advanced Manufacturing and
i Adegun, Oluwatosin - UKG:
"Taylor, Tom (Finance & Portfolio)" }
Subject: [OFF:SEN - LEGAL] Advice - Approval For Settlement Offer in Post Office Ltd.
(POL) Litigation - CALL WITH MINISTER TOLHURST readout
[Re-sent to a wider copy list]
All,
Following advice submitted on Friday in regard to the Settlement Offer for the Post Office Litigation, a
call took place this morning between Minister Tolhurst and officials to discuss this further. Please see
the readout from this call below.
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Attendees
BEIS:
¢ Kelly Tolhurst
* Carl Creswell (Director, PBS, Retail and Post)
* Shanice Swales (Private Office)
UKGI:
* Tom Cooper
* Richard Watson
Key points and actions
* CC introduced the meeting explaining that the purpose of the meeting was to talk through
advice on the settlement offer for the Post Office litigation, and seek KT’s agreement in principle
¢ KT agreed that a way forward is needed and after reviewing the advice sent across on Friday, KT
agreed with the advice and recommendations
¢ UKGI colleagues confirmed that the first of two judgements will be made on Friday at midday,
with the second expected to be roughly within the next week or so
* For the second judgement, we will be given 24 hours-notice
* ACTION — Private Office to set up a call between KT and officials as soon as we have notice of
the judgements
¢ KT stressed that a steer on communications is needed, to ensure KT and SofS are clear what they
can say publicly
* Clearance now needs to be sought from the Perm Sec and no10 need to be updated on the
current position — ACTION — UKGI to draft a note on this for no10 as soon as possible, to be
circulated to SofS office
Many thanks,
Shanice
ae Shanice Swales
ne (Locum) Private Secretary to Kelly Tolhurst
Department for Parliamentary Under Secretary of State
+ Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
Business, Energy + Victoria Street, London, SW1H OET
& Industrial Strategy minister.tolhurst
www.gov.uk/beis I _https://twitter. coni/beiSGovuK
From: Scott, Joshua - UKGI
Sent: 15 November 2019 12: .
To: Secretary Of State (Private Office) Tolhurst (Private Office)
I SpAds
Office (Private Office}
_iWhite, Beth (Professional Busini
} Aldred, Tom - UKGI ¢
due G _.>; Robson, Hugo (Business Investment)
Vandini, Cecilia (Advanced Manufacturing and Services) }
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“} Culshaw, Robin - UKGI
sional Business Services, Retail & Post Directorate)
Finance &
Corera, Jane
(Finance & Portfolio)
degun, Oluwatosin -
; Taylor, Tom (Finance & Portfoli
pproval For Settlement Offer in Post Office Ltd. (POL) Litigation
Subject: [OFF:SEN - LEGAL] Advi
OFFICIAL SENSITIVE - LEGAL
Shanice, Oliver, Jefferson and Bex,
Advice for approval.
Purpose
Following advice submitted 8 November (attached as Annex A) this advice requests Minister Tolhurst’s
approval for the settlement range proposed by POL (and their external legal advisors Herbert Smith
Freehills (HSF)) in preparation for their mediation meeting with Claimants in the Group Litigation Order
on 27/28 November.
This note seeks your approval to a proposal from the POL Board to authorise settlement at a figure up to
£65m. CST approval is being sought in parallel. The settlement working group of BEIS/UKGI/HMT
officials met on 14 November and agreed to support the POL board’s proposal for settlement at a figure
up to £65m.
In line with the decision of the POL Board, any offer above £48m could be made only if it ensures a
settlement takes place and would require POL [CEO and Chair] approval, as well as the approval of
Officials from BEIS and HMT.
Minister Tolhurst has a phone call with officials on 18 November to discuss the advice and justifications
for the settlement range proposed.
Timing
Urgent — a decision is required by 22 November.
We have discussed this advice with Perm Sec’s Office in light of the pre-election period and can confirm
it is classed as ‘essential business’ and should be allowed to continue during this time.
Special Advisers
This has been sent to SpAds office in parallel.
Annexes
Annex A— POL Approach to GLO Mediation Written Advice submitted 8 November.
Annex B - Advice on Settlement (Draft) provided by HSF and discussed at 14 November settlement
working group meeting.
Annex C - Advice on Convicted Claimants provided by HSF and discussed at 14 November settlement
working group meeting.
Annex D — POL CFO Confirmation Letter
Contacts
Director General — Justin Manson.
Lead Official - Joshua Scot!
baninenannsneninnanornsnan
GRO
Director Responsible - Tom Coopef,
Any questions please let me know.
Cheers,
Josh
Joshua Scott I Analyst
Post Office Shareholder Team
UK Government Investments
1 Victoria. Street JLondoo.L SWAK_NET.
Ti . GRO _.
E: Joshua.scott GRO! W: www.ukgi.org.uk/
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