Sir Alan Bates, the 70-year-old campaigner knighted for his two-decade fight, has exposed the Government’s shockingly low compensation offer—just 49.2% of his original Horizon claim—delivered as a “take it or leave it” ultimatum.
📜 Horizon scandal in brief
Between 1999 and 2015, faulty Horizon IT software falsely flagged missing cash in 900+ Post Office branches. Hundreds of sub-postmasters faced convictions for fraud, false accounting and theft. Parliament quashed these wrongful convictions last year, paving the way for payouts of up to £600,000 per claimant.
🤯 “Quasi-kangaroo courts,” says Bates
Bates accuses the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) of running compensation schemes like “quasi-kangaroo courts”. He told The Sunday Times:
“The Department sits in judgment and alters the goalposts as and when it chooses… Promises of a ‘non-legalistic’ approach have proved worthless.”
🏛️ How compensation works
- Group Litigation Order (GLO): 555 claimants sued the Post Office; they can accept £75,000 fixed or negotiate their own settlement.
- Independent reviewer: Disputes go to Sir Ross Cranston. Bates appealed to this stage—and still got under half his claim.
👂 Calls for an independent body
Bates demands a truly independent compensation authority for public-sector scandals. He warns:
“I can hear Whitehall sharpening goose quills… to explain why it wouldn’t work.”
He argues only an arm’s-length body can ensure fairness, free from ministerial meddling.
💬 Government response
A DBT spokesperson said:
“We pay tribute to all postmasters, including Sir Alan… We’ve quadrupled total payouts since entering government. We aim to give the benefit of the doubt and offer independent reviews for anyone unhappy.”
🔐 Data-leak payouts
Separately, hundreds of former operators will receive up to £5,000 each after the Post Office accidentally exposed their personal details in June 2024. Those with larger losses can still seek extra damages.
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