Frustration grows over Post Office compensation

A former sub-postmistress wrongly jailed for theft has spoken of her frustration over the wait for compensation.

Janet Skinner was handed a nine month sentence in 2007 over an alleged shortfall of £59,000 from her Post Office branch in Bransholme, Hull.

She was one of more than 900 sub-postmasters who were wrongly prosecuted for stealing because of incorrect information from the Horizon computer system.

The government said it was working "at pace" to ensure all postmasters received "the financial redress and justice they deserve".

Ms Skinner said she had been given assurances over the compensation schemes by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak when she met him almost a year ago.

"For quite a lot of people, nothing's changed," she told BBC Breakfast.

"The cases are complex and there's a lot to it. It is painstakingly hard and it's been a long battle."

Ms Skinner said she had not expected an offer quickly as her claim was submitted only last month.

"But there are a lot of people who have had claims through that process for quite a long time and been offered quite small amounts," she said.

"I think each and every one of us just want to be able to move forward."

Sir Alan Bates, the founder of the Justice For Subpostmasters Alliance, has urged victims of the Horizon scandal to take the government to court over delays in compensation.

In a email sent to the alliance's members, Sir Alan said a judicial review would "probably be the quickest way to ensure fairness for all".

He told victims: "I do know many of you who have already settled have done so out of desperation or despair or because you have been backed into a corner to accept an offer.

"Well, a new legal action may well be a way of having your claim reassessed once more, this time by the courts."

In a statement, a government spokesperson said: "We pay tribute to all the postmasters who have suffered due to the Horizon software and past behaviour of the Post Office management.

"[We] are continuing to work at pace to ensure all postmasters receive the financial redress and justice they deserve.

"We have trebled the number of payments under this government and are settling claims at a faster rate than ever before to provide full and fair redress... and expect to settle all claims by the end of the year."

Former Bridlington sub-postmaster Lee Castleton also met Sunak last April and said at the time he felt he had been "listened to".

He is one of three former sub-postmasters affected by the Horizon IT scandal who have been made OBEs in recognition of their fight for justice.

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