Post Office scandal may have led to more than 13 suicides, official inquiry finds
As a result of the post office Horizon scandal, more than 13 people may have killed themselves, the first tranche of a public investigation of a public investigation resulted in what was defined as the worst low justice in the history of England.
Retired Judge Sir Wyn Williams, President of the Investigation, said at least 59 people “committed suicide at various points over time” and “connected it to his experiences with the horizon and/or post office.”
The post office bosses had to know that Horizon was wrong, but while prosecution of sub -citizens, “continued the fiction that the data is always correct.”
The turning point for the victims and their families suddenly found the following:
- 13 people had their own life, at least 59 thought of committing suicide
- 10,000 people are entitled to receive compensation on scandal
- Post Office and Fujitsu employees dealt with “completely unacceptable behavior” against the victims
- Postmaster encountered significant delays with compensation, and many of them have settled less than they believed to be “full and fair compensation ..
Sir Wyn said that a number of senior senior “in the organization, known as Legacy Horizon, can make mistakes until 2010 was changed, and that some employees realized that the updated system has mistakes and flaws of Horizon Online.
He said that 13 people took their own lives because of the pain they endured during the scandal.
Sir Wyn said that approximately 10,000 people can offer compensation allegations after those called the worst low of justice in the history of British law.
Following the release of the Drama of ITV in January last year, the Post Office of ITV, the Post Office of the Actor Toby Jones, the former sub -mail manager and the founder of the subpostasters alliance, Sir Alan Bates.
Formerly sent Office General Manager Paula Vennnels is accused of supervising numerous false prosecution and conviction, and then Sir Wyn said that the bosses should know that Horizon was wrong.
Jonathan Reynolds said: “The post office Horizon It query is published by Sir Wyn today and his team points to an important milestone for sub -officials and their families.”
The business secretary added: “Today I welcome the broadcast and I am determined to provide unfair subpostMasters to give a complete, fair and quick correction.
“The suggestions in Sir Wyn’s report require a careful reflection, including more action to complete the correction plans. The government will immediately respond to the suggestions in the parliament.”
The president’s 162 -page report criticized the “unnecessary enemy attitude” in making the post office and his advisors to compensation for the victims, and realized how difficult the organization and the government “to provide appropriate financial correction”.
In the report, approximately 1,000 people were incurred and convicted throughout England between 1999 and 2015 as a result of faulty Fujitsu software.
Sir Wyn also chose the behavior of post office inspectors, and said, “They will be in a completely unknown area and they found the experience in the best and at worst,” he said.
After the publication of the report, which he described as “difficult reading ,, Sir Wyn said:“ Many people experienced emotional turmoil and significant stress.
“As a result, many businesses and houses disappeared. Bankruptcy occurred. Marriage and families were ruined.”
“As a result, I received reports that some people responsible for deficiencies were ill. In a tragic way, I heard people who were said to be directed to take their own lives.”
The publication of the first tranche of the report on Tuesday focused only on the destructive effect of the scandal on the victims and the compensation presented to infrastructors, and with another report that attributes the expected accusation at a later date.
Sir Wyn said: “Most of the individuals who gave evidence before me are very reluctant to accept it, although a number of senior and not too large employees knew or at least know that the inheritance hormone should be wrong.
“Nevertheless, for all practical purposes, Legacy has continued its fiction that post office data is always correct throughout the life of Legacy Horizon.”
As part of his report, Sir Wyn made a total of 19 suggestions, including the government and the post office, including “full and fair compensation”.
In addition, as a part of the main plan, the plaintiffs who applied for compensation should have the right to receive free legal advice of the horizon deficit plan.
The President also discussed the criticism of the Horizon Convictions Plan, another plan, saying that the demand holders should be entitled to a fixed bid of £ 600,000, even if they present their detailed individual claims.
Sir Wyn called the government to establish a public institution by the authorities to design, manage and compensate for unfair persons.
In the report, it is likely that the number of people suitable for submitting compensation requests as part of the scandal is likely to rise at least hundreds of hundreds of hundreds, although not more in the coming months.
In a statement, the post office said: “The investigation has implemented the destructive stories of the influence of the horizon scandal.
“Their experiences represent a shameful period in our history.
“Today, we apologize for the pain that the post office causes postmaster and loved ones.
He continued: “We will carefully discuss the report and suggestions.”
If you are experiencing feelings of distress or fight to cope, you can talk to Samaritans safely at 116 123 (UK and YG), send E -POST to JO@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of the nearest branch.
If you live in the USA and you or someone you know now need mental health assistance, call 988 or call text or 988 Suicide and crisis to access 988lifeline.org to access online chat. This is a free, hidden crisis aid line offered to everyone seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
If you are in another country, you can go to www.befriends.org to find a help line near you.
