Lords crank into action

Hi

Our parliamentarians have returned after the summer recess and Lord Arbuthnot is leading the charge once more. He’ll be asking a question of the minister, Lord Callanan, about the government’s proposed review into the Horizon fiasco.

The other Business Minister – Paul Scully – said he hoped to announce who was leading the review this month, so maybe we’ll find out today.

Also taking part in the debate is Dame Joan Bakewell. Dame Joan is of course a journalist by trade. We have chatted a few times since she picked up on the Horizon story. This is what she tweeted over the weekend:

“Post Office Scandal! Tomorrow I ask in the House of Lord’s : “where is the enquiry Boris promised? “. Scandal as big as Windrush… watch this space…..”

I spoke to Alan Bates last week and he is adamant that the Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance will not engage with the government review unless it is a judge-led inquiry.

The session starts at 1pm today – you can watch it live here.

Nick Read

Each week, Nick Read records a video update aimed at Post Office staff. It’s called the Ten at Ten. Last Wednesday he spent some time on the Horizon scandal.

By far the most interesting point related to the Post Office’s approach to the cases which have been referred to the Court of Appeal. In his recorded talk, Mr Read said:

“By the start of October, we will formally set out our position on the cases that the criminal cases review commission has referred to the appeals court, stating where the Post Office will oppose or not oppose a conviction being overturned. This is not about guilt, but rather the safety of the conviction.”

I am not sure whether Mr Read is right here. Surely this is about guilt and innocence, and people being potentially found guilty of something they didn’t do. Given that hint it’ll certainly be interesting to see which cases the Post Office are going to contest and how. I am told they have to file their papers by 2 October.

Trouble up North pt 1

If you missed it in the last mailout, I have posted part 1 of a story about alleged rampant fraud going on at a post office branch in the North of England. Post Office management seemed to want to turn a blind eye. Very odd, given the zeal with which they went after others.

Thanks for all your comments and information about this story. Some people were absolutely bewildered that someone could a) do this and b) get away with it. Others think they have come across similar activities before.

Enjoy the Lords debate. If you miss it I’ll send out all the relevant links tomorrow morning.

Thanks

Nick