Subpostmasters give impact statements

Good morning

I’m sitting somewhere in the bowels of New Broadcasting House waiting to go on the BBC News Channel, having just done a quick turn on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

It is the first day proper of the Statutory Inquiry into the Post Office Horizon scandal and I have been delighted to see the British broadcast media really make today something of a landmark occasion. It’s been great to watch and hear all the Subpostmasters who have campaigned for so long step up, once more, to tell their stories.

I have just watched the extraordinary BBC File on 4 film featuring Tracy Felstead, who was taken back to Holloway prison where she served her sentence as a teenager. Tracy’s conviction was overturned at the Court of Appeal last year. Watching her go through the experience of revisiting her cell and talk about it so openly is devastating. You can see it here. The full investigation goes out on Radio 4 tomorrow.

I am in awe of all the Subpostmasters who have continued to struggle to get their voices heard, and I feel so desperate for those who suffered in silence, unable to join the campaign which many weren’t even aware of for years.

You can watch the inqury proceedings here or wait for the transcripts to be posted up on the inquiry website. Baljit Sethi is up first after opening statements, then Jo Hamilton and Noel Thomas will be giving evidence this afternoon.

More on the Manchester event

Over the weekend I mentioned that on Thursday (17 Feb) I’ll be speaking at the University of Manchester at the launch of their Innocence Project. I asked if anyone would like to join me and former Postmaster Pete Murray on stage. I am thrilled that Tom Hedges will now also be joining us. Anyone who saw the scenes outside the Court of Appeal last April will remember Tom as the gentleman in a suit breaking out the prosecco after his conviction was quashed. Tom is a very thoughtful and articulate campaigner and I am looking forward to hearing his views.

If you want to come along or watch online you are more than welcome. It is a free event, courtesy of the University of Manchester, with a drinks reception afterwards. For more information, click here.

Numbers matter

I had a chance yesterday to put up the latest Post Office prosecution numbers. Despite the Post Office chief executive telling parliament last month that 736 convictions were unsafe, the Post Office are now saying 709 convictions were secured using Horizon evidence, and some of them have been dismissed at appeal or withdrawn before appeal. More here.

I am unlikely to write a report about today’s events at the inquiry but I will be sending out the odd tweet from proceedings. If you want to have a look at them as they happen, just click here. No login is required.

Have a good day. I think I’ll be doing another bunch of local radio interviews between 5pm and 6pm after the inquiry concludes back at Broadcasting House, and then it’s back home for an M&S Valentines Dinner special for Mrs Wallis. No expense spared, me.

Nick

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