Alan Bates: Once I saw “harm and injustice” I had to dedicate part of my life to this cause
In the Post Office Horizon IT inquiry, Alan Bates said he had dedicated much of his life to campaigning about the scandal because of the “harm and injustice” he had witnessed.
Mr Bates, who appeared as a character in the high-profile ITV drama about the scandal, appeared at Aldwych’s London home and said:
I once started a small personal campaign, found others along the way, and eventually we all joined. It took dedication, but secondly, it’s a good cause. I think that’s also stubbornness. But it’s… I mean, you meet people and you realize it’s not just you. And you saw the harm, the injustice that befell them, and it was something that you felt you had to deal with.
He told the inquiry, which has been going on for three years, that he spent four times as much time campaigning for Horizon as he did when he was deputy postmaster general, but that it was a Post Office decision. He believed his contract was terminated because he complained frequently about the Horizon system.
Bates said he felt the Horizon system’s reporting capabilities were limited because he used computerized sales software in other roles.
Today’s session began with Chief Consul Jason Beer KC issuing a lengthy diatribe against the Post Office’s repeated delays in releasing documents to investigations, saying it was “very confusing”. Ta.
Inquiry chair Wynne Williams is determined to continue the hearing on its current schedule, despite the Post Office’s difficulties in providing documents in a timely manner, as the alternative of postponement is worse. said. He said he believed the investigation should not last a day longer than necessary.
important events
Just a little more background on what’s going on in today’s Post Office Horizon IT survey. Alan Bates, perhaps the scandal’s most famous victim and campaigner is giving evidence. The 58-page witness statement he submitted to the investigation agency is being examined. Jason Beer KC.
post office director nick reed is present. Mr Bates told his inquiry he had been campaigning for 23 years to expose the truth about him.
More than 700 postmasters were prosecuted and convicted by the Post Office between 1999 and 2015 for making it appear that branches were running out of cash due to a flaw in Fujitsu’s Horizon system.
When the following letter was read out from the post office, there was a somewhat sarcastic reaction in the room. Alan Bates “I am confident that the various teams involved in the event are working hard to provide support and assistance in a consistent and caring manner.”
Alan Bates said he wanted a letter written in August 2003 describing his situation to be read by the organization’s senior leadership. he said: “You can’t do more than get their attention. You can’t force them to read it, but if you don’t write them, they’ll never know.”
of Post Office Horizon IT inquiries is restarting. Jason Beer KC asking Alan Bates The contract ended around 2003. You can watch it here…
One of the things I wanted to draw your attention to while the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry hearing was paused was that earlier today, veterans of the last Labor government told Keir Starmer that the new They called for a focus on Sure Start style programs. Released his election manifesto after research revealed it had a transformative impact on poor children.
Sure Start was first announced in 1998 and has led to the development of hundreds of children’s centers across the UK. Our community team would like to hear from people who have been helped by the scheme, or their parents. You can contact us here.
There will be a 20-minute break in the Post Office Horizon IT survey.
Bates said he may be called “unruly” because:
A) They didn’t like me confronting them at first, B) They found it awkward, and C) I don’t think they can answer these questions. And I think they felt that I would continue to do the same.
at the moment Jason Beer KC The employment dispute between is getting closer to the heart of Alan Bates And the post office.
The Postal Service is asking Mr. Bates to repay the money the branch says was lost, saying he has a contractual responsibility. Bates had argued that he had no contractual obligation because the information in the system cannot be audited or interrogated and therefore cannot be proven to be so. his Negligence that causes problems. He asked the Post Office if the system told him he owed £1 million, would they try to recover it?
In a rather understated way, Bates said he was “frustrated to say the least” when the Post Office moved to terminate the contract.
He told the inquiry that he had told the Post Office: “If you are dissatisfied with the way I provide the service, please repay the initial investment and take the Post Office away.” I would have been very happy if they had done that. And with those standards I might not be here today. ”
He continued, “I felt like they were trying to learn a lesson from my case, because a lot of other people knew what was going on at the time. I think it was something like an attempt to give.” How were they responsible? ”
When Jason Beer asks Bates if he’s “gotten out of control,” a ripple of laughter spreads through the room.
In the Post Office Horizon IT inquiry, Alan Bates At one point I remember hearing the phrase, “Oh, another Horizon loss.” He said the following in response to the interrogation:
It was just one of those little things that stuck in the back of my mind.
This phrase was overheard on the phone by a retail store manager who was trying to handle an issue with the Bates branch.
Bates went on to agree with Beal that Horizon’s system can make mistakes in both directions, what he called “over and under” mistakes.
Alan Bates He’s now talking about a letter he sent out stating what he thought was wrong with the Horizon system, to which he never received a response. He is keen to emphasize that he is not negative at all about electronic sales systems and has previously used systems like Horizon with great pleasure.
He is very comfortable giving evidence and is very personable. This is a very gentle question asked by Beale, and one that Bates makes important through his written submission to the inquiry. This is not at all adversarial, as has been seen previously by other witnesses in the investigation on behalf of Fujitsu or the Post Office.
Alan Bates: Once I saw “harm and injustice” I had to dedicate part of my life to this cause
In the Post Office Horizon IT inquiry, Alan Bates said he had dedicated much of his life to campaigning about the scandal because of the “harm and injustice” he had witnessed.
Mr Bates, who appeared as a character in the high-profile ITV drama about the scandal, appeared at Aldwych’s London home and said:
I once started a small personal campaign, found others along the way, and eventually we all joined. It took dedication, but secondly, it’s a good cause. I think that’s also stubbornness. But it’s… I mean, you meet people and you realize it’s not just you. And you saw the harm, the injustice that befell them, and it was something that you felt you had to deal with.
He told the inquiry, which has been going on for three years, that he spent four times as much time campaigning for Horizon as he did when he was deputy postmaster general, but that it was a Post Office decision. He believed his contract was terminated because he complained frequently about the Horizon system.
Bates said he felt the Horizon system’s reporting capabilities were limited because he used computerized sales software in other roles.
Today’s session began with Chief Consul Jason Beer KC issuing a lengthy diatribe against the Post Office’s repeated delays in releasing documents to investigations, saying it was “very confusing”. Ta.
Inquiry chair Wynne Williams is determined to continue the hearing on its current schedule, despite the Post Office’s difficulties in providing documents in a timely manner, as the alternative of postponement is worse. said. He said he believed the investigation should not last a day longer than necessary.
