Ex-Post Office chair claims authorities informed him to delay compensation

The Government has flatly denied claims by the previous Post Office chairman that he was informed to ‘stall’ on compensation forward of the final election.

Henry Staunton left the function final month after Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch insisted ‘new management’ was wanted to deal with fallout from the Horizon IT scandal that noticed tons of of postmasters wrongfully prosecuted.

Mr Staunton, who took up the function in December 2022 following 9 years as chairman of WH Smith, urged that Whitehall needed to carry again spending forward of the election.

He informed the Sunday Times: ‘Early on, I used to be informed by a reasonably senior particular person to stall on spend on compensation and on the alternative of Horizon, and to limp, in citation marks – I did a file word on it – limp into the election.

Former Post Office chairman Henry Staunton claimed he was informed to ‘stall’ on compensation forward of the final election

There has been a nationwide wave of anger in regards to the scandal since postmasters’ lengthy struggle for justice was highlighted by a serious ITV drama

‘It was not an anti-postmaster factor, it was simply straight financials. I did not ask, as a result of I stated ”I’m having no a part of it – I’m not right here to limp into the election, it is not the best factor to do by postmasters”.

‘The phrase ”limp” offers you a snapshot of the place they have been.’

There has been a nationwide wave of anger in regards to the scandal since postmasters’ lengthy struggle for justice was highlighted by a serious ITV drama.

Home Office minister Michael Tomlinson denied Mr Staunton’s declare throughout a spherical of interviews this morning.

‘I do not settle for or recognise that,’ he informed Times Radio.

‘We are encouraging postmasters to come back ahead. We have introduced laws by way of the House of Commons which is able to allow these funds to be made, and that’s one thing that we’re encouraging reasonably than something.

‘I simply do not recognise something on the contrary of that.’

A Government spokesman stated: ‘We totally refute these allegations.

‘The Government has sped up compensation to victims, and constantly inspired postmasters to come back ahead with their claims.

‘To counsel any actions or conversations occurred on the contrary is wrong. In reality, upon appointment, Mr Staunton was set concrete aims, in writing, to give attention to reaching settlements with claimants – clear proof of the Government’s intent.

‘The Secretary of State requested Henry Staunton to step down as chairman of the Post Office as a result of a change in management was wanted.’

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

Hundreds of subpostmasters and subpostmistresses are nonetheless awaiting compensation regardless of the Government saying that those that have had convictions quashed are eligible for £600,000 payouts.

Rishi Sunak additionally introduced blanket laws to exonerate these wrongly prosecuted within the wake of public outcry.

Mr Staunton left the function final month after Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch (pictured) insisted ‘new management’ was wanted to deal with fallout from the Horizon IT scandal