4 not-for-profit-run Post Offices on the Isle of Wight are at risk following disputed financial shortfalls recorded by the now infamous Horizon Post Office IT system.
In well-documented media coverage, during a 15-year period more than 700 sub-postmasters across the country were wrongly prosecuted for theft, fraud and false accounting after incorrect accounting discrepancies were thrown up by Post Office Limited’s Horizon IT system.
The scandal led to many being left bankrupt and in prison with ruined reputations and years of campaigning that took a toll on them personally and professionally.
Now, Island Community Ventures – the trading arm of charity Community Action Isle of Wight – that took over a vital rural post office service in Godshill following its near closure in 2011, is facing a similar worry that threatens both this and the outreach services they provide in 3 other communities: Brading, Wootton and Totland.
In moves that mirror those seen with other such Post Office services across the country, the Post Office is citing discrepancies in the transactions, accounting and stocktaking managed through the Horizon IT system and is calling for repayment of sums of over £20,000.
This comes at a time when the independent inquiry, led by Sir Wyn Williams, a retired High Court judge, into what has been described as the “worst miscarriage of justice in British legal history”, continues at the International Dispute Resolution Centre in Central London.
Mike Bulpitt, Director of Island Community Ventures and CEO of parent charity Community Action Isle of Wight, has said:
“We seem to be in a position where we are at the mercy of a computer system that is simply not working properly. There is strong evidence of its faults historically and even in recent correspondence with Post Office Ltd staff they have confirmed that they can’t understand why certain things are showing or not showing in the system.’
Article continues below this advertisement “It is also somewhat ironic that 18 months ago, with the support of our local MP Bob Seely, we raised a number of concerns around post office service delivery on the Island which included being asked to operate with equipment that from our experience didn’t work properly.
“We have been clear with Post Office Limited that we do not have their funds and we are perfectly happy to share any financial records they wish to see which will clearly demonstrate this.
“Running post offices in rural areas is a tough ask financially and certainly not a profit making venture, so to now also face this situation is totally disheartening and is creating stress and anxiety for our staff. Hopefully we can reach an agreement with Post Office Ltd on a way forward so that the services can be maintained.”
Nick Gould, Partner at Aria Grace Law who provided support to some of those previously falsely accused added:
“I can’t believe Post Office Limited appears to have learned nothing during the last twenty years since the first prosecutions. For them to still be requiring people to somehow prove their own system is faulty is beyond belief.”
Speaking about the situation, Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely has said:
“This is very concerning news. Island Community Ventures has been doing a fantastic job at keeping post office services operating in some of our smaller rural communities. I hope that this issue can be resolved quickly so that they can continue with their good work.”
Whom ever in charge of Royal Mail /Post Office needs prosecuting and imprisoned,the way they are running it will mean no longer exist very soon, strike action, low morale in staff, expensive postage and parcels and this Horizon thing that has destroyed and some cases ( people have died through I’ll health or suicide) but these greedy selfish criminals at the top of chain go unpunished living their millionaire life style. Good that we now have cheaper and better alternatives coming available. Good luck to these community post offices who provide an essential service to elderly, vunerable and some on benefits.
The post office has nothing to do with Royal Mail. The post office is owned and run by the idiots in government. The Royal Mail is in private hands run by idiots, all for the shareholders. Nothing to do with the customer or employee. You have to direct your discontent with the correct people. The more pressure you put on the MPs the more will be done.
Royal Mail is entirely separate to post office (has been for a few years) although I agree with your comments
Beggars belief. Horizon is clearly not foolproof and the Post Office know this from the numerous disastrous prosecutions that were overturned.
These accusations of shortfalls literally destroy people’s lives .
The Post Office has already agreed to pay £58m in damages.
Have they not learnt anything.
I don’t think they will learn anything until the CEO is held personally accountable and locked up. They have destroyed people’s lives and livelihoods, they know this system is a pile of rubbish, they had knowledge that it was not performing accurately, yet they persist in it being used. Why are they not in jail????
Your comments are so accurate and this is clearly what should happen as those involved have now gone quiet and run for cover,
It appears that whoever instituted this flawed Horizon system is still administering it.
And that scum is still as vindictive as before.
PLEASE NAME AND SHAME THEM – they are criminals.
I strongly suspect massive corruption at Royal Mail.
Mr Seely – your words of sympathy are all very well, but what about actually doing something about it?
Rather than prosecution and a custodial sentence. The top management who were responsible for this disgrace, have moved on to yet more highly paid positions.
All that is needed is a team of competent accountants with pencils, paper and calculators, and access to anything they want.
Post Offices should be run by the government, the whole thing is a mess, yes they are just as likely to cock it up but it would be a national issue.As regards the IT system, what’s new, small wonder many people want nothing to do with ‘smart’ meters
I don’t think for a minute that any of the people running these post offices stole anything, but if you consider the recent miscarriages of justice in the PO, now is the perfect time to steal. Everyone would suspect the software….