Post Office Horizon Scandal Victims Still Await Full Compensation

A former sub-postmistress who was wrongly jailed while pregnant during the Post Office's Horizon IT scandal is still awaiting full compensation more than 15 years after her ordeal. Seema Misra, who ran a post office in West Byfleet, Surrey, criticised ongoing delays as an MPs' report found thousands were awaiting full redress, but said the main issue was accountability. Misra, who was jailed in 2010 and cleared in 2021, said accountants and lawyers were working on her final claim. The Post Office said it was processing applications "as quickly as possible" and 87% of those eligible had received a compensation offer, with £882m paid out. "It's taken 21 years of my life, to be honest," Misra said. "June 2005, that's when we bought the post office and, the very first day, we had issues and then the legal battle started in 2008. It's taken a toll. We never expected these things can happen in a democratic country." She said those affected wanted compensation for all victims, but she wanted to see those responsible for the wrongful convictions behind bars, to show "the system does work in the country and there's nobody above [the] law". The report by the Business and Trade Committee (BTC) found delays, administrative errors and undervalued offers were continuing across several schemes. The chairperson of BTC, Liam Byrne, was asked by BBC Radio 4's Today programme whether the IT company had refused to make interim payments or had not been asked. The MP replied: "They haven't been given a specific number, that is the challenge. We've got this judicial inquiry that is under way, judge-led inquiry that was under way, but it's not clear if it is going to opine on exactly what Fujitsu's guilt might be, nor how much Fujitsu should pay. We do think ministers need to be tougher with Fujitsu and actually demand an interim payment now before a final sum is settled." MPs heard the Horizon Shortfall Scheme, which compensates some victims, was "broken". Examples were given to the committee of initial offers rising from hundreds of thousands of pounds to more than £1m on appeal. Jo Hamilton, who ran a post office in South Warnborough, Hampshire, was prosecuted in 2006 and cleared in 2021. She said her compensation claim "took three and a half years", adding "it must have cost more in legal fees than I actually got". Criticising delays in paying those still waiting, she said: "If a claim is realistic, why don't they just pay it?" Hamilton settled at 80% of her claim because of her husband's ill health, but later received the remaining 20%. She said: "They thought they could probably shut me up by treating me nicely and giving me everything I deserved, but it didn't work because I'm now advocating for my colleagues." Misra said the Post Office was "carrying on as normal" and nothing had changed. She said: "It looks like a land of two laws, currently. One law for a common person like me and you, and the other for the people in authorities." She said she objected to the use of the word "compensation", adding: "It's our own money back we'll be asking for." Those involved had known it would be a long fight, she said, but added: "We didn't expect it to be this long." A Post Office spokesperson said: "Progress has been made with 87% of eligible Horizon Shortfall Scheme applications having received an offer and £882m paid through the scheme. We are processing applications as quickly as possible to bring resolution to those who have applied. We will review the committee's recommendations and continue to work closely with the Department for Business and Trade." Fujitsu has been approached for comment. A spokesperson for the Department for Business and Trade said: "We must never lose sight of the Horizon Scandal's human impact on postmasters and their families. The amount we've paid out has increased more than sixfold as part of our ongoing commitment to deliver justice to victims as swiftly as possible. We welcome today's report and agree that it is crucial Fujitsu meets its moral obligation to contribute to the total costs of the scandal, and will publish our response to its recommendations shortly."