Japanese expertise agency Fujitsu has stated it plans to compensate sub-postmasters wronged within the Horizon scandal.
The multinational is within the highlight resulting from its position in miscarriages of justice – with latest ITV drama Mr Bates Vs The Post Office renewing public curiosity within the challenge and sparking outrage.
Hundreds of sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses had been prosecuted over claims they had been stealing from the Post Office – however the lacking cash was really resulting from errors within the Horizon software program.
“The Fujitsu Group regards this matter with the utmost seriousness and offers its deepest apologies to the sub-postmasters and their families,” the corporate stated in an announcement on Thursday.
“The UK statutory public inquiry, to which our UK subsidiary is offering full cooperation, is analyzing advanced occasions which have unfolded over a few years, and we stay steadfast in our dedication to this cooperation.
“Based on the findings of the inquiry, we will also be working with the UK government on the appropriate actions, including contribution to compensation.”
It added: “The Fujitsu Group hopes for a swift resolution that ensures a just outcome for the victims.”
Horizon was developed by Fujitsu, and the brand new laptop accounting system was first utilized by the Post Office in 1999.
More than a decade later, it emerged the prosecutions had been because of the defective software program, with Horizon described as “not fit for purpose” by a Post Office-commissioned report in 2014.
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Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch has written to Takahito Tokita, Fujitsu’s chief govt, in search of pressing talks to thrash out a compensation bundle.
Earlier this week, an govt on the expertise large which developed the defective system informed MPs it had a “moral obligation” to contribute to any monetary redress for victims.
Fujitsu Europe director Paul Patterson additionally apologised to victims and conceded there have been “bugs and errors in the system”.
The authorities has put aside £1bn for Horizon victims and beforehand indicated it’ll pursue Fujitsu for the prices if the inquiry finds it’s in charge.
It has additionally stated it’ll introduce laws to mass exonerate folks wrongly convicted in the scandal.
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Alan Bates and different former sub-postmasters main the continuing marketing campaign for justice have hit out at delays in compensation.
Mr Bates, who was on the centre of the ITV drama, informed MPs that monetary redress for these affected was “absolutely bogged down in red tape” and that folks had been “dying” whereas ready for funds.
Source: information.sky.com”