Sir Alan Bates has expressed his frustration at the lack of accountability for the wrongdoings in the Horizon scandal following his settlement for a significant sum. The former subpostmaster criticized the redress schemes for victims of the Post Office computer system, labeling them as “quasi-kangaroo courts.” Approximately 1,000 individuals faced wrongful prosecution between 1999 and 2015 due to Horizon, leading to immense mental distress for those affected.
In an interview with the Mirror, Sir Alan emphasized the importance of holding those responsible for the scandal to account. He highlighted ongoing inquiries by the Met Police involving multiple government entities and individuals from the Post Office. The complexity of the investigation, coupled with the need to analyze evidence submitted to the inquiry, has delayed the pursuit of justice.
Despite receiving his final settlement, Sir Alan stressed the need for criminal convictions against wrongdoers, acknowledging the challenges in achieving timely justice. He lamented that “all the baddies seem to be hiding,” underscoring the obstacles in the quest for accountability.
The recent momentum towards justice was propelled by the ITV broadcast of the drama “Mr Bates Vs The Post Office.” Sir Alan’s refusal of two counter-offers before accepting the settlement from the Department of Business and Trade (DBT) signifies his commitment to seeking redress.
While the settlement amount remains undisclosed, Sir Alan described the final offer as non-negotiable. Approximately 100 subpostmasters are yet to reach settlements in their claims, prompting Sir Alan to advise them to persist in challenging the process.
Following the resolution of his claim, Sir Alan disclosed plans to relocate to a new residence in Wales and document his experiences in his memoirs. DBT commended Sir Alan for his advocacy efforts on behalf of victims and confirmed the closure of his claim within the scheme process.
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