Hero Alan Bates turns down ‘merciless’ Government payout after Post Office scandal

A former subpostmaster who has led the marketing campaign for justice within the Post Office Horizon scandal stated he’ll reject a “cruel” supply of compensation from the Government.

Alan Bates, whose two-decade struggle impressed the ITV sequence Mr Bates vs The Post Office, stated the supply was “offensive”. The Government confirmed plans for “full and fair compensation” to subpostmasters affected by the IT scandal in 2022.

More than 700 Post Office department managers across the UK have been prosecuted between 1999 and 2015 after defective Horizon accounting software program made it look as if cash was lacking from their outlets.

But Mr Bates stated the compensation supply had been “around a sixth” of what he requested and he described it as a “terrible way to treat human beings”.

“‘Full and fair’ might be His Majesty’s Government’s interpretation, but in reality the offer is derisory, offensive and after all this time, yes, cruel. I will absolutely be turning this offer for financial redress down,” he told the Telegraph.

“It’s just a terrible way to treat human beings – and I have heard from several subpostmasters who have received similarly derisory offers, while others are still waiting.” He stated the supply had been made on Wednesday, 111 days after his declare – ready with the assistance of forensic accountants engaged by his legal professionals – had been submitted.

“I have been in the queue along with all the others in the scheme, but if my case is an example of the way they are going to treat all cases, we may as well start looking at a legal action again and let the judiciary decide.”

Mr Bates was amongst greater than 500 individuals who acquired a median of about £20,000 after a High Court ruling in 2019. A Government spokesman advised the Telegraph: “If any applicant to the GLO (Group Litigation Order) scheme feels that they are owed more than is being offered, we are happy to discuss the evidence with their legal advisers.

“If we can’t agree, decisions will be made by an independent panel that includes legal and accountancy experts, who ensure fair redress based on the evidence.”