Ex-Post Office Chief Alleges 'Subcontractors' Misconduct in 2009 Correspondence Regarding Horizon Discrepancies
In a startling revelation before the inquiry, Alan Cook, a former Post Office executive, raised concerns about "subbies with their hand in the till," accusing them of scapegoating the Horizon IT system in a 2009 email. Expressing remorse, Cook acknowledged his choice of words, admitting it was inappropriate and not reflective of his overall view of subpostmasters. The email exchange with Mary Fagan highlighted growing apprehension surrounding the Horizon system's accuracy, which Cook found perplexing given its longstanding reliability. He speculated that amidst the economic downturn, financially strained subpostmasters might resort to blaming technology when faced with cash shortages.
Under scrutiny, Cook refuted claims of requesting a "more robust defence of Horizon," as indicated in an email from a Post Office investigator. During his tenure from 2006 to 2010, he acknowledged the challenges of subpostmasters feeling neglected and endeavored to bridge the gap. However, his tenure was shadowed by the wrongful prosecution of over 160 sub-postmasters. Notably, Cook professed unawareness of the case involving Lee Castleton, a subpostmaster burdened with a £25,000 deficit in his east Yorkshire branch. Castleton's subsequent bankruptcy, coupled with exorbitant legal costs, underscored the harrowing toll of such prosecutions.
When pressed on the approval of substantial expenditures in legal battles, Cook pointed towards former Post Office chief executive Paula Vennells as the probable decision-maker, absolving himself of direct involvement. The inquiry delved into the complexities of Post Office governance during Cook's tenure, shedding light on the systemic challenges and the human cost of misjudgments.
In an unsettling admission during the inquiry, Mr. Cook disclosed his unawareness of Jane Skinner's case, a subpostmaster who endured a nine-month jail sentence over an alleged £59,000 shortfall. Expressing personal regret, Cook directly addressed Ms. Skinner, acknowledging the "disgraceful" treatment she faced. Moreover, he conceded to a critical oversight, admitting he should have been aware of a "deliberate strategy" employing theft charges as coercive tools against subpostmasters.
Ms. Skinner, present in the inquiry room, received Cook's apology, though she remained skeptical about the sincerity of his testimony. Reflecting on Cook's role at the helm of the Post Office, she underscored his proximity to the decision-making process, implying his accountability for the injustices endured by subpostmasters.
Outside the inquiry room, Ms. Skinner shared her mixed sentiments, acknowledging the possibility of Cook's sincerity in his apology while questioning the authenticity of his testimony. With over 900 subpostmasters prosecuted between 1999 and 2015, the shadow cast by Fujitsu's flawed Horizon software loomed large, implicating systemic failures and the human toll of miscarried justice.
In conclusion, the testimony of Mr. Cook sheds light on the grave injustices faced by subpostmasters under the shadow of the Horizon software debacle. His acknowledgment of oversight and apology to individuals like Ms. Skinner offer a glimpse of recognition for the systemic failures that plagued the Post Office. However, lingering doubts remain regarding the sincerity of his testimony and the extent of his awareness of the coercive strategies employed against subpostmasters. As the inquiry unfolds, it underscores the urgent need for accountability, reform, and restitution for those whose lives were irrevocably affected by the miscarriages of justice within the Post Office system.