Northern Ireland

Post Office Horizon scandal: 29 Northern Ireland employees convicted of offences

Only two convictions have been overturned to date, many believed so far to have failed to come forward

Former post office workers celebrate outside the Royal Courts of Justice, London, after having their convictions overturned by the Court of Appeal
Former post office workers celebrate outside the Royal Courts of Justice, London, after having their convictions overturned by the Court of Appeal (Yui Mok/PA)
By John Breslin

Investigations into post office employees prosecuted and convicted over a 13-year period in Northern Ireland were carried out by the government-owned company and files passed on to prosecutors via the PSNI, the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) said on Wednesday.

A total of 29 post office employees, including sub postmasters, were convicted of offences since 2001, 24 identified by the Post Office with a further five emerging after the PPS began a review of other cases.

Two people have so far had their convictions overturned unchallenged by prosecutors as the office agreed they relied on evidence from the Horizon system.

A third case, Lee Williamson, is currently before the Court of Appeal.

Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Herron and his office are likely to oppose appeals where a case is believed to be unconnected to flaws in the Fujitsu Horizon system.

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Former sub-postmaster Lee Williamson attends the Court of Appeal as he seeks to overturn his conviction on fraud-related offences. (Jonathan Porter / Press Eye)

The Post Office carried out investigations of 24 individuals between 2001 and 2014, handed the files to the PSNI, which were then submitted to prosecutors, the PPS said.

Where up-to-date contact details were available, letters were sent advising the individuals of the situation in England and Wales and of their right to appeal.

Technology giant Fujitsu, which has its UK head office in Bracknell, developed the Horizon system for the Post Office.
Technology giant Fujitsu, which has its UK head office in Bracknell, developed the Horizon system for the Post Office. (Andrew Matthews/PA)

“The PPS initiated a review of our own systems to try and identify any further prosecution files which may have relied upon Horizon,” a spokesperson said.

“This process has identified a further five cases which resulted in a conviction and letters similar to those described above issued to individuals where up-to-date contact details were available.”

Among those latter cases was Patricia Fagan in south Armagh, who was questioned and investigated by the PSNI from 2014 and not the Post Office.

Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Herron said the decisions were taken independently and impartially by an experienced team (Liam McBurney/PA)
Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Herron (Liam McBurney/PA)

“The PPS is mindful of the ongoing Public Inquiry. However, it is deeply regrettable that what is known now about the flaws in the Horizon system was not revealed and that this has resulted in miscarriages of justice,” the spokesperson said.

At this stage, it is unclear how the UK Government’s legislative plans for a mass exoneration will effect those convicted in the north. It will not automatically apply here or in Scotland but London has suggested it will work with the devolved governments on the issue.

In the interim, the PPS is encouraging those convicted to apply for an appeal via the Criminal Cases Review Commission.