Ex-Post Office boss Paula Vennells grilled on day 2 of scandal hearings – stay
Former Post Office boss Paula Vennells will continue giving evidence at the Horizon scandal inquiry today.
The 65-year-old businesswoman, who was CEO between 2012 and 2019, broke down in tears yesterday as the inquiry’s lead counsel Jason Beer KC questioned her about her knowledge of issues with the company’s IT system.
Hundreds of subpostmasters were wrongly prosecuted over supposed missing funds in their branch accounts, despite there being documented faults in the Horizon software.
Hero campaigner and former subpostmaster Alan Bates has said he has “no sympathy” for Ms Vennells after she began crying twice during her first day of evidence.
Mr Bates said he met “senior” Metropolitan Police staff on Wednesday morning to discuss possible prosecutions following the Post Office Horizon scandal.
He said: “They certainly are going to investigate, I’ve had that assurance and I think the group (of subpostmasters) needs that as an assurance and it’s something that we’ve never been certain of until today.”
During her evidence to the probe, Ms Vennells stopped mid-answer and reached for a tissue as she was grilled about why she had provided a false statement to MPs that the Post Office had been successful in every case against subpostmasters.
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Bombshell texts show Paula Vennells’ pal told her ‘I think you knew’ about Post Office scandal
A number of text messages show Paula Vennells was accused by a friend of secretly knowing about problems with the Post Office IT system.
Former Royal Mail boss Dame Moya Greene told the ex-Post Office chief executive: “I can’t now support you.” In a text exchange after the ITV drama Mr Bates Vs The Post Office aired, Dame Moya wrote: “I think you knew.”
Dame Moya messaged Ms Vennells at the beginning of this year amid public anger over the scandal. She wrote: “When it was clear the system was at fault, the PO (Post Office) should have raised a red flag, stopped all proceedings, given people back their money and then tried to compensate them for the ruin this caused in their lives.”
Ms Vennells replied: “Yes I agree. This has/is taking too long Moya. The toll on everyone affected is dreadful.” Dame Moya said: “I don’t know what to say. I think you knew.” Ms Vennells responded: “No Moya, that isn’t the case.”
Bombshell texts show Paula Vennells’ pal told her ‘I think you knew’ about Post Office scandal
Lorraine Kelly fears PM’s election announcement will ‘overshadow’ Horizon inquiry
Lorraine Kelly says Paula Vennels “couldn’t believe her luck” as the Prime Minister called for an election on the first day of the Post Office inquiry.
Vennells broke down in tears during a grilling over the scandal which ruined the lives of hundreds at the Horizon IT Inquiry. ITV presenter Lorraine had little sympathy for Vennells as she took to social media to comment on Rishi Sunak’s announcement which coincided with the first day of the inquiry.
She wrote: “She can’t believe her luck, RIshi Sunak taking the heat off Paula Vennells with his general election announcement – don’t let this news overshadow the post office scandal.”
Lorraine Kelly blasts Rishi Sunak and ex-Post Office boss Paula Vennells over general election
‘I’ve got no sympathy really’
Campaigner and former subpostmaster Alan Bates says he has “no sympathy” for Paula Vennells after she broke down twice yesterday.
During her first day of giving evidence in the Horizon IT inquiry, Ms Vennells stopped mid-answer when asked why she had provided a false statement to MPs as she reached for a tissue.
Her apparent unease was met with little sympathy by those affected by the shocking scandal.
Speaking outside Aldwych House after Ms Vennells gave evidence on Wednesday, Mr Bates said: “The whole thing is upsetting for everybody, including for so many of the victims. I’ve got no sympathy really.”
Paula Vennells’ ‘word salad’ apology sounded ‘like a recital’
Ex-Post Office boss Paula Vennells’ ‘word salad’ apology sounded ‘like a recital’, a body language expert has told the Mirror.
Venells, 65, issued an apology to furious postmasters including Alan Bates, saying: “I am very, very sorry.” When Ms Vennells was questioned on why she told MPs the Post Office was successful in every court case against postmasters, she began crying.
She paused and tried to compose herself, then said: “I fully accept now that the Post Office…” but broke off her answer to grab a tissue and held her head in her hands for a brief moment. Ms Vennells continued: “The Post Office knew that and I completely accepted. Personally, I didn’t know that and I’m incredibly sorry that it happened to those people and to so many others.”
Body language expert Judi James described the apology as a ‘word salad’, adding: “The use of her diminishing word ‘just’ as Vennells launched into her apology at the start sucked some of the impact or authenticity out of her small speech. ‘I would just like to say’ made her apology sound like a speedy aside and she actually swung round to one side to make it as though getting it done before the main event.
“A proper apology needs to be specific. Vennells apologised in a bit of a word salad ‘for all they have suffered as a result of all the matters the enquiry has been looking into…’ Her eyes looked down in a cut-off a couple of times.
Paula Vennells’ ‘word salad’ apology sounded ‘like a recital’, body language expert says
7 bombshell texts from Paula Vennells pal
Bombshell text messages show Paula Vennells was accused by a friend of secretly knowing about problems with the Post Office IT system.
Former Royal Mail boss Dame Moya Greene told the ex-Post Office chief executive: “I can’t now support you.” In a text exchange after the ITV drama Mr Bates Vs The Post Office aired, Dame Moya wrote: “I think you knew.”
7 bombshell texts show Paula Vennells pal told her ‘I think you knew’ about Post Office scandal
Paula Vennells told ‘there’s no way out’ by Post Office scandal victim
A former subpostmistress has warned ex-Post Office boss Paul Vennells that campaigners want the truth and she is “heading into the corner where there’s no way out”.
Jo Hamilton was falsely accused of stealing £36,000 from the branch she ran in South Warnborough, Hampshire, in 2006 and was persuaded to plead guilty to the lesser charge of false accounting to avoid going to jail. Her conviction was overturned in 2021. Ms Hamilton, who was played by Monica Dolan in the ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office, said if she was in Ms Vennells’ position, she would “just put my hands up” and say, “I’m really sorry and this is what happened’.
