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Message
From: Swinson MPST [/O=DTI/OU=DTIHQ/CN=RECIPIENTS/CN=SWINSONMPST]
Sent: 09/07/2013 11:25:56
To: Parly Unit - Others
cc: Gibson Will (ShEx) Whitehead Mike (ShEx)
Batten Peter (ShE: Boughen Aileen (Communications)
SPAD Cable MPST
‘allon MPST
Wilkes Giles (MPST MIN)
oT
“5 Balakrishnan
Subject: RE! Post Office - Oral Statement
Justin
Here is the statement. No 10 has seen and is fine with it.
Emily
Text
Yesterday evening an interim report into alleged problems with the Post Office Horizon computer system was
published. The report was commissioned by Post Office Ltd from external forensic accountants, Second Sight.
The Horizon system records all transactions conducted at every post office counter across the country. The
Government welcomes the publication of this interim Report and the Post Office’s statement in response.
Although Post Office Ltd is 100% owned by Government, the company operates at arm’s length as an
independent commercial business. The Government does not play any role in operational matters.
It is important to note that the issues in the report have no impact on Royal Mail which is an entirely separate
business.
It is also important to be clear that, contrary to misleading media reports, the review explicitly confirms that
“we have so far found no evidence of system-wide problems with the Horizon software”
The very small number of subpostmasters who have experienced issues with the Horizon system are a minute
proportion of the tens of thousands of people who have been successfully using the system across the network
of over 11,500 branches on a daily basis since 1995. Out of 68,000 users, only 47 cases have been put forward
to the Review.
I want to emphasise that the interim report makes no comment about the safety or otherwise of any conviction
of a subpostmaster for fraud, theft or false accounting.
Equally, even if it had done, the Government cannot intervene in the legal process to review or appeal past
convictions. These are matters which can only properly be dealt with by the relevant judicial authorities.
The interim report published yesterday analysed 4 cases. It did find that there was scope for the Post Office to
improve aspects of its support and training for subpostmasters. The Post Office has already taken steps to do so.
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The Post Office has further proposed a number of measures to build on some of the points made in the Second
Sight report about support and training for subpostmasters. I very much welcome these initiatives as, I
understand, does my Hon Friend the Rt hon. James Arbuthnot who has played a key supporting role in
identifying cases for examination in this Review.
The Post Office statement issued yesterday welcomed the broad thrust of the report’s findings and outlined
three initiatives to deal with the issues raised.
Firstly, they will set up a working party to complete the review of cases started by Second Sight. This will
consider all 47 cases brought forward by the Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance (JFSA) and MPs. The JFSA
have been invited to join this working party.
Secondly, an independent figure will chair a review to determine how best to adjudicate disputed cases in
future. Again the JFSA and other stakeholders will be invited to take part in this process.
And finally a new Branch User Forum will provide a channel for sub-postmasters and others to raise issues
around business processes, training and support, at the highest level.
The company will be taking forward these proposals as an urgent priority.
I commend this statement to the House.
From: Parly Unit - Others
Sent: 09 July 2013 11:04
To: — Swinson MPST
Cc: Gibson Will (ShEx); Whitehead Mike (ShEx); Batten Peter (ShEx); Boughen Aileen (Communications); Cable MPST; SPAD Cable MPST; SPAD
Fallon MPST; Fallon MPST; Walch Emily (MPST MIN); Wilkes Giles (MPST MIN); Wild James (MPST MIN); Younger MPST
Subject: _RE: Post Office - Oral Statement
Emily
Once I have the approved statement, I will approach the Whips, Leader and Speakers office and REMIND them,
Jo does have a WMH debate at 14:30, they should already be aware but I will try to encourage them to stick to
the time and not let the oral statement over-run.
Kind Regards
Justin
From: Swinson MPST
Sent: 09 July 2013 10:54
To: — Parly Unit - Others
Ce: _ Gibson Will (ShEx); Whitehead Mike (ShEx); Batten Peter (ShEx); Boughen Aileen (Communications); Cable MPST; SPAD Cable MPST;
'VOYCE, Hollie’; SPAD Fallon MPST; Fallon MPST; Walch Emily (MPST MIN); Wilkes Giles (MPST MIN); Wild James (MPST MIN); Younger
MPST
Subject: —_RE: Post Office - Oral Statement
Thanks Justin - that's fine. To be aware we will also share the draft oral statement with No.10.
Jo's first adjournment debate today is at 11am, the second is at 2.30pm. Is there a risk the Post Office
oral statement will run on past 2.30pm, or does the adjournment debate provide a cut-off point?
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3 I Senior Private Secretary to Jo Swinson MP I Department for Business, Innovation
“& Skills mpst.swinsoni_ I 1 Victoria Street, London, SW1H OET [f
II www. bis.gov.uk I
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is making a difference by supporting sustained growth and higher skills across the
economy. BIS: working together for growth
From: Parly Unit - Others
Sent: 09 July 2013 10:37
To: — Swinson MPST
Ce: _ Gibson Will (ShEx); Whitehead Mike (ShEx); Batten Peter (ShEx); Boughen Aileen (Communications); Cable MPST; SPAD Cable MPST;
'VOYCE, Hollie’; SPAD Fallon MPST; Fallon MPST; Walch Emily (MPST MIN); Wilkes Giles (MPST MIN); Wild James (MPST MIN); Younger
MPST; Parly Unit - Others
Subject: RE: Post Office - Oral Statement
Hi Emily
I know Jo will be busy preparing for the Oral Statement and the 2nd Westminster Debate today, but I will
need the oral statement approved by 12:15 at the latest.
I will need to provide a copy of the statement to the Opposition and hour before Jo makes her statement
and I will need to arrange provide copies of the statement to all MP's once Jo sits down.
Please could you also ensure that Younger MPST are copied in on all relevant emails, just in case
Viscount Younger has to repeat the statement in the Lords.
Kind Regards
Justin
Justin Placide I Deputy Parliamentary Clerk I Department for Business, Innovation &
Skills I MPST.parly: www.bis.gov.uk I
Twitter:@bisgovuk
The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) is making a difference by supporting sustained
growth and higher skills across the economy. BIS: working together for growth
From: Swinson MPST
Sent: 09 July 201:
To: = 'mike.winter{
Ce: Gibson Will (ShEX); Whitehead Mike (ShEx); Batten Peter (ShEx); Parly Unit - Others; Boughen Aileen (Communications); Cable
MPST; SPAD Cable MPST; Swinson MPST; 'VOYCE, Hollie’
Subject: Post Office - Oral Statement
Mike
We spoke. The suggested title for Jo Swinson's oral statement today is: Post Office Horizon System.
Please let me know if you need anything else at this stage.
Thanks
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Senior Private Secretary to Jo Swinson MP I Department for Business, Innovation
& Skills mpst.swinsot I 1 Victoria Street, London, SW1H OET
www. bis.gov.uk I
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is making a difference by supporting sustained growth and higher skills across the
economy. BIS: working together for growth