So just over a week ago we shared some of the latest press coverage on our campaign for justice.  We were 1200 signatures short of our 5,000 target and today we are only 600 short, so a big thank you to all those new people who have taken the time to support us.

Over this past week there has been further press coverage.  In two local newspapers in the North East, the Sunderland Echo and Shields Gazette covered my personal story and the national newspaper Daily Express covered my story alongside the overall campaign.  These can all be read below to give you a better understanding of why we are doing this.

Daily Express :- https://www.pressreader.com/uk/daily-express/20200217/281908775158729

Shields Gazette :- https://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/people/former-west-boldon-postmaster-who-lost-ps100000-horizon-post-office-debacle-calls-judicial-enquiry-1589602

Sunderland Echo :- https://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/people/former-west-boldon-postmaster-who-lost-ps100000-horizon-post-office-debacle-calls-judicial-enquiry-1589602

There are also two podcasts which go back over the entire 2 decades to explain what some of these claimants have gone through, you can listen below :

Private Eye Podcast - https://www.private-eye.co.uk/eyeplayer/play-367

BBC Radio 4, File On 4 - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000f5hb

The Post Office has done everything in its power to ensure the truth was kept hidden all at the expense of YOU the taxpayer.  They has wasted over 50 million pounds defending something they knew was at fault.  Even before the litigation began they held a board meeting which approved a document that stated their Horizon IT system was 'Not fit for purpose'.  The judge covered it in the December 2019 judgement :-

“The IT Strategy, which is referred to in this Update Decision Paper, and outlined that “the IT [Horizon] was not fit for purpose” and which was approved in July 2016 by the Post Office Board is, in my judgment, entirely consistent with my conclusions on the evidence. It is not, however, consistent with the Post Office’s response to the claimants’ pre-action letter, or the Defence in the group litigation, or the evidence adduced by the Post Office in the Horizon Issues trial. The Post Office’s solicitors’ response to the pre-action letter is dated 28 July 2016, very lengthy, and states that “the investigations to date have consistently pointed towards human error or dishonest conduct in branches as the most likely cause of shortfalls.” [H 954]]

So who authorized the spending of all the taxpayer cash when the government even has a cabinet office executive sitting on the Post Office board?  Why does EX CEO Paula Vennells who strangely resigned days before the first trial judgement was handed down.....only to be then awarded a CBE, a cabinet office role in government and also to be chairwoman of one of the largest NHS groups, Imperial NHS.

So in our final push of the petition which will run until the middle of next week wee ask original and new supporters to help us one last time.  Everyone who has signed so far knows that ONE additional person they could ask to sign in support.  Whether that be a family member, a friend, a neighbour, a colleague or local business.  If each person does that we will easily achieve our goal of 5,000 signatures.  I can tell you on behalf of all claimants this would mean the world to them and hopefully allow them to finally get the Justice they so rightly deserve.

Thank you again for your continued efforts and support!