Archives :
2022
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The ‘Shredding’ Advice
Last week I published the first Clarke advice, which was effectively a THIS ENDS HERE. NOW document written by Simon Clarke, an external barrister working on Subpostmaster prosecutions To give context to the initial advice, I have updated that post with some (hopefully) helpful links. The Shredding Advice Shortly after writing his first advice, Mr…
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False Accounts – the notices are in!
It’s a very strange thing, the Post Office scandal. I know there are people still suffering horribly, and in silence, about what they went through. There are no laughs, or jokes, or good times for them. As someone not directly connected to what happened, there is a fear that if you ever use humour about…
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Jenkins wants inquiry ‘immunity’
Gareth Jenkins, the former Fujitsu engineer who has become a person of interest to the Metropolitan Police, has demanded certain assurances from the Post Office Horizon IT inquiry before he gives evidence. Jenkins, the subject of the first Clarke Advice and a spectre at the feast during the Bates v Post Office litigation wants an…
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The first Clarke Advice
The Clarke Advice was written by the barrister Simon Clarke (above) when he worked for Cartwright King in 2013. I’m not sure it is has been published in full before, so here it is: For context as to the importance of this advice, see: What’s in the 2013 Simon Clarke document? Oral submission to support…
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Nailing Sir Peter Fraser – the legal hit squad
During the first week of phase two of the Post Office Horizon IT inquiry we discovered more about Lord Neuberger’s involvement in the decision to ask Mr Justice Fraser to recuse (remove) himself as managing judge from the Bates v Post Office group litigation, something the Post Office recognised internally was “the nuclear option.” It’s…
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Brian out of the shadows
Brian Altman KC advised the Post Office on the Horizon scandal from 2013 right up until 2021. He has, in his career, held the title of First Senior Treasury counsel – the most senior prosecution barrister in England. Brian Altman’s advice to the Post Office is privileged, which means that had the Post Office chosen…
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Why was Horizon allowed to go live?
In my book I interview someone who was parachuted into Fujitsu [or more specifically, its subsidiary ICL Pathway] into the late 90s to try to rescue the Horizon project. He couldn’t. I called my interlocutor Clint because he didn’t want me to use his real name, and there was something steely-eyed about him. Of the…
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Crowdfunding the Inquiry
Rebecca Thomson and I have decided to try to crowdfund our coverage of the Post Office Horizon Inquiry, which re-starts open hearings this week. If you donate you will be subscribed to the “secret” email newsletter, written by me and sent out whenever something of interest is happening in this story. Your donation will allow…
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Post Office London Walk completed!
Thanks to everyone who kindly joined Ian Fagelson and the Bath Publishing team in his excellent Postman’s Park: Crime and Punishment walk around London. I took a break from writing about Johnny Depp and Amber Heard to join the 20+ crew last Thursday 29 September as we negotiated our way from the steps of St…
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We’re All Going On A Walk
Ian Fagelson does London walks. Ian is a lawyer who I met for the first time at my book launch. Ian has been ridiculously helpful with his advice on how to set up a charity, and did an awful lot of work (pro bono) in getting the Horizon Scandal Fund registered with the Charities Commission.…