A Powys MP has said there is more to be done to tackle the damage of the Post Office scandal
MP for Brecon and Radnorshire, Fay Jones, said she found it "staggering" how the Post Office pursued victims in the scandal and has said there is "much more to be done".
The scandal has come under the national spotlight after the hugely successful ITV drama Mr Bates vs the Post Office - which dramatized the decades long fight for justice for sub post masters who were wrongly accused of stealing from Post Offices after bugs in the Horizon computer system falsely showed shortfalls of thousands of pounds.
“Like millions, I watched Mr Bates vs the Post Office last week," said Mrs Jones. "The Horizon scandal is something I’m aware of having worked in my parents’ post office as a teenager. I well remember the struggles they had transferring to Horizon. But they were the lucky ones."
Mrs Jones had previously backed former Post Office CEO handing back her CBE due to her involvement with the cover up of the scandal and has called for more to be done even more quickly - including accountability for those who were involved at the Post office.
OTHER NEWS:
- PICTURES: Images capture mighty mouse as he tidies up Powys resident's shed
- Weather warning issued for parts of Powys as temperatures plummet
- Young farmer caught drink driving was 'so drunk' near McDonald's after night out
"It’s appalling how sub post masters were treated," said Mrs Jones. "Huge financial sums were lost and lives were destroyed.
"It’s staggering how viciously the Post Office pursued innocent people who had done nothing wrong. That’s why I think it’s right that individuals are held accountable.
"But this is about the sub post masters. To date, more than £148 million has been paid to 2,700 victims across all compensation schemes, 93 convictions have been overturned and, of those, 30 have agreed full and final settlements. But there is much more to be done - The government is moving quickly on this. The Justice Secretary is looking at options to resolve the outstanding criminal convictions at pace.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here