Post Office workers faced false accusations of theft and fraud due to a faulty computer system, resulting in one of the most notorious miscarriages of justice in UK history. In the ITV drama "Mr Bates vs the Post Office," the story of this scandal is brought to light. Let's take a closer look at the life of Alan Bates, the individual who stood up against these false allegations.
Who is Alan Bates?
Alan Bates, a former subpostmaster, played a crucial role in exposing one of the largest miscarriages of justice in UK history. With unwavering determination, he fought for over two decades to ensure that the victims of this scandal received justice and that those responsible were held accountable.
In January 2023, Alan declined an OBE for his services to justice, stating that it would be inappropriate to accept such an honor while victims continue to suffer. He also highlighted the fact that Paula Vennels, one of the individuals implicated in the scandal, retained her CBE, which she received in the 2019 New Year's Honours list and still holds.
What happened to Alan Bates?
Like many other subpostmasters, Alan was falsely accused by the Post Office of committing serious crimes. However, it was later revealed that the faulty Horizon computer system was to blame for the accounting discrepancies. Alan took action against the Post Office, leading to a court victory and compensation for the claimants.
Why did Alan Bates take action against the Post Office?
Between 1999 and 2015, the Post Office wrongfully accused thousands of subpostmasters of theft, false accounting, and fraud. In reality, these discrepancies were caused by the faulty computer system. Many innocent individuals faced imprisonment and severe mental distress, with some tragically taking their own lives. Alan, who personally experienced financial difficulties due to the system's flaws, decided it was time to fight for justice.
In November 2018, the subpostmasters had their day in court, resulting in a £57.75 million settlement for the group of 555 individuals. However, due to significant legal fees, only around £12 million could be shared among the claimants, resulting in minimal compensation for each person.
Following the verdict, the Post Office was ordered to establish the Historical Shortfall Scheme (now known as the Horizon Shortfall Scheme) to compensate impacted subpostmasters. However, many of those involved in Alan's case were initially ineligible for the scheme, leaving them in a worse position than their peers.
In March 2022, the government introduced a Group Litigation Order to rectify this injustice.
What has Alan Bates said about the case?
As of July 2023, the Post Office and government have paid out around £100 million to over 2,000 individuals affected by the scandal. However, more than 500 claimants are still awaiting compensation. Alan, who led the group of subpostmasters, called for swift action, criticizing the Post Office's lack of transparency and the government's failure to address the ongoing suffering of the victims.
Alan emphasized the importance of providing financial redress to the initial 555 claimants, acknowledging that it wouldn't fully compensate for their enduring suffering. He also highlighted the need for professional mental health assessments and support for the affected families.
Regarding the ITV drama "Mr Bates vs the Post Office," Alan expressed that it was the first time a production came close to portraying the true horrors experienced by the victims.
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