Post Office chief executive Nick Read recently faced intense scrutiny during the public inquiry surrounding the Horizon IT scandal, which has exposed deeply flawed practices resulting in the wrongful prosecution of over 900 sub-postmasters. His testimony arrived on the heels of the passing of Gill Blakey, a former sub-postmaster, who, alongside her husband David, had fiercely campaigned for justice and compensation for those affected by the controversial IT system.
David Blakey shared his wife’s sentiment during the inquiry, expressing remorse over her inability to witness the resolution of their fight for compensation. "Gill's only real regret was not living to see real justice done," he said, urging the Post Office to end the prolonged delay over compensatory measures. This appeal underscored the human cost behind the inquiry, which has dragged on with numerous victims awaiting justice.
Nick Read testified for three days, stating his shock at the scale of the issue he inherited when he assumed leadership of the Post Office in 2019. Tasked with turning around the struggling organization, he revealed during questioning by inquiry chair Sir Wyn Williams how he was intentionally kept uninformed about the pivotal details of the Horizon scandal.
"When I joined, I was told 'not to dig’ too deeply,'" he recounted. The previous leadership’s denial about the seriousness of the Horizon issues was palpable, Read noted, describing the board's concerns being concentrated more on financial recovery than acknowledging the fallout from the IT failures.
According to Read, senior officials misrepresented the timeline of the IT crisis, assuring him during his onboarding process it was merely historic and had ceased prior to 2015. These assertions were challenged as the inquiry delved deep, aggressively probing how management could be blithely disconnected from the catastrophic impact of the mismanagement of the Horizon system, which caused significant financial losses for sub-postmasters who were wrongfully accused of theft and fraud.
Conflicting reports from previous executives raised questions about Read’s commitment to reform. One said he was "obsessed with increasing his salary," though Read has denied such characterizations. The inquiry actively seeks insight not only on the legacy issues concerning the Horizon system but also the current culture within the organization. His accusations of focusing on financial gains rather than on victims are echoes of longstanding grievances voiced by the sub-postmasters.
The gravity of the situation was evident when Read failed to recognize the damage the scandal wrought until after the High Court's judgments against the Post Office came to light. He admitted to the inquiry: "When the judgment on the Horizon failures was handed down, there were no panicked discussions or urgent calls among senior leadership, which led me to believe they were largely oblivious to the scale of the scandal." This admission raises significant concerns about the Post Office leadership's responsibility during this scandal.
The complexity of the inquiry highlights enduring disputes over the compensation process for the affected sub-postmasters. Although there was some movement with the Post Office agreeing to pay £58 million to 555 claimants, critics argue the majority of this amount went toward legal fees rather than directly compensatory funds. Many former sub-postmasters still await compensation, creating growing frustrations as they try to navigate the bureaucratic process. Read emphasized this disappointment, stating he finds it disheartening to see any delays or discrepancies continuing within the current structure.
New information presented during the inquiry suggests widespread belief among Post Office staff remains, indicating some former sub-postmasters may still be viewed as culpable. Read captured this disturbing sentiment, confirming to inquiry representatives, "There is likely still some reluctance among employees to fully accept every former sub-postmaster was innocent of the charges against them."
The inquiry also shed light on the strain between the Post Office and Fujitsu, the company responsible for the Horizon system, with relationships described as "incendiary" following recent communication. This tension complicates the examination of accountability and rectification stemming from the scandal, as changes are considered to restore trust with stakeholders and victims alike.
With Read confirming his intention to step down from his post next year, there’s heavy speculation on whether this transition will cement meaningful change within the Post Office's operational culture and its relationship with sub-postmasters. His reflections reveal both acknowledgment of past faults and ambiguities surrounding what steps will be taken henceforth.
The inquiry is expected to draw attention to future recommendations for systemic changes and compensation structures as public and political pressure builds. With cries for justice louder than ever, the necessity for accountability and reform continues to cloud the future of the Post Office and its leadership.
