Post Office Horizon cases: letters to UK Government

Post Office Horizon letter: 24 January 2024

To: Kevin Hollinrake MP, Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business
From: Angela Constance, Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs

I am writing to you with regard to the Post Office Horizon IT scandal and, in particular, recent news reports about continuing problems that Scottish sub-postmasters are encountering with the Horizon IT system.

I am sure you will share my determination that no further people should suffer as a result of the Horizon system. In Scotland, there are reported concerns of a sub-postmistress in Perthshire who indicated users are still faced with regular discrepancies when balancing their books as they are still required to use the Horizon system.

As the UK Government Minister with responsibility for the Post Office, I would be grateful if you are able to confirm that the concerns being raised will be investigated and that the UK Government is satisfied that the current operation of the system is now fit for purpose. In view of the impact that the Horizon system has had on sub-postmasters over many years, it would be extremely concerning if the system was not fit for purpose after all the experience of severe problems.

For Scottish sub-postmasters and sub-post-mistresses, I would welcome reassurance in this important area.