The Post Office scandal, officially known as the Horizon scandal, is one of the most widespread miscarriages of justice in British history. It centered around faulty accounting software called Horizon, supplied by Fujitsu, which was installed in Post Office branches across the UK starting in 1999.
The Horizon system recorded financial shortfalls at numerous branches. The Post Office, acting as both investigator and prosecutor, aggressively pursued sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses, accusing them of theft, fraud, and false accounting. Instead of investigating the possibility of systemic errors within the Horizon software, the Post Office insisted the system was robust and reliable, placing the blame squarely on the individuals running the branches.
Over 700 sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses were prosecuted based on Horizon data. Many were convicted, fined, and even imprisoned. Others faced financial ruin, bankruptcy, and devastating reputational damage. The stress and shame led to suicides and family breakdowns. Many sold their homes to repay alleged shortfalls that were, in reality, caused by the flawed Horizon system.
For years, these individuals maintained their innocence and fought to expose the truth about Horizon. They formed support groups and shared their experiences, realizing they were not isolated incidents but part of a larger systemic problem. Despite mounting evidence and persistent campaigning, the Post Office continued to deny the flaws in the Horizon system and actively defended its actions in court.
A turning point came with the legal challenge brought by a group of sub-postmasters, known as the Justice for Sub-postmasters Alliance (JFSA). In December 2019, a High Court judge ruled that Horizon contained numerous bugs and errors that could cause accounting discrepancies. This landmark ruling finally exposed the truth and discredited the Post Office’s long-held position.
Following the High Court decision, many convictions were overturned. The government launched an inquiry to investigate the scandal and determine the full extent of the failures. A compensation scheme was established to provide redress to those who had been wrongly accused and suffered as a result. However, the process of obtaining compensation has been slow and complicated, adding further distress to the victims.
The Post Office scandal has sparked public outrage and led to calls for accountability at all levels, including senior executives and government officials who oversaw the implementation and management of the Horizon system. The scandal highlights the dangers of relying on flawed technology without proper oversight and the devastating consequences that can occur when institutions prioritize protecting their reputation over seeking the truth and justice.
The fallout from the Horizon scandal continues to unfold, with ongoing investigations, legal challenges, and a growing demand for those responsible to be held accountable for their actions. The scandal serves as a stark reminder of the importance of transparency, accountability, and the need to protect vulnerable individuals from the power of large organizations.