Mr Bates vs the Post Office

[denislawsbackheel]

Another to be called to account is the husband of the current education secretary.

Michael Keegan is currently employed as a crown representative to the Cabinet Office, managing cross-government relationships with BAE Systemsas a strategic supplier to the Government, having previously been Head of Fujitsu UK and Ireland during the latter part of its involvement with the Post Office scandal.

 

[sir baconface]

Why weren’t Fujitsu systems managers sub-poena’d to answer under oath whether postmaster accounts could be overridden remotely?

I know the whistleblower only emerged late on but surely the whole case was founded on the premise that this was impossible.

 

[Blue Mist]

Private prosecutions are a long-established common law principle. Anyone can prosecute another legal person. The law would need looking at more widely than the PO and HMRC.

@gordondaviesmoustache I fully accept private prosecutions are a long established principle but I am sure you will agree, any that a private citizen takes is quickly taken over by the CPS and even quicker, they discontinue it. These 2 organisations are funded solely by the Government and therefore have unlimited funds, something that was highlighted perfectly by this programme. To have such financial might without proper safeguards is very dangerous for any individual accused of a crime by them.

 

[blue whippet]

The Computer Weekly involvement is stated here:

Post Office Horizon scandal explained: Everything you need to know | Computer Weekly

Computer Weekly has investigated the Post Office Horizon scandal since 2008 and is, in fact, part of the story. This guide covers essential information about the scandal.

www.computerweekly.com

Thanks for this. Sent it on to a few people.

 

[BlueAnorak]

There is no such thing as a civil prosecution. A prosecution requires a criminal offence to be involved.

What about local authorities who regularly prosecute people for trading standards and food safety offences?

Like I say, it’s not a straightforward as suggested and private prosecutions are a long held common law right which allow people to seek justice when they don’t believe they are getting it from the state.

A lot of the post office charges against SPMs were civil cases. Not criminal.

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

A lot of the post office charges against SPMs were civil cases. Not criminal.

Then it’s not a prosecution it’s a civil claim.

 

[MillionMilesAway]

The Computer Weekly involvement is stated here:

Post Office Horizon scandal explained: Everything you need to know | Computer Weekly

Computer Weekly has investigated the Post Office Horizon scandal since 2008 and is, in fact, part of the story. This guide covers essential information about the scandal.

www.computerweekly.com

If I read that right, MPs from both sides agitated and got an investigation launched.

Just before its final report, the investigation was shut down - around 2015.

Surely someone must know who ordered that to be shut down.

 

[give it to gordon]

Why has it taken a tv programme for the government to act ?

Said the same to my missus. If itv had made the programme the government would still be ignoring it.

 

[Gray]

Absolutely disgraceful the way these ordinary citizens were treated. The Post Office using billions of public money to cover up their ineptitude is shocking. The lack of knowledge by the management of how their company operated does not surprise me at all. These people draw huge salaries and bonuses for just heading up the operation. Handing out awards to what are basically criminals is all that is wrong with our country. Pull your finger out HMG and compensate these people without further delay.

 

[BlueAnorak]

If I read that right, MPs from both sides agitated and got an investigation launched.

Just before its final report, the investigation was shut down - around 2015.

Surely someone must know who ordered that to be shut down.

The investigation was being funded by the Post Office. So the board of the post office.