Sub-postmistress Continues Battle for Compensation

A former sub-postmistress from County Tyrone remains determined to reclaim the funds she believes are rightfully hers following the Post Office’s IT debacle. More than 900 sub-postmasters faced wrongful prosecution due to inaccuracies in the Horizon computer system, which mistakenly indicated missing payments in their accounts.

The issue resurfaced when Sir Alan Bates, a leading advocate for the affected sub-postmasters, disclosed that his compensation offer was significantly lower than his claim. According to the Department for Business and Trade, those dissatisfied with their compensation can seek a review by an expert panel.

Fiona Elliott, who purchased a Post Office and store in Clady, County Tyrone, with her husband in 2005, described how she injected thousands of pounds of her own money to cover the discrepancies shown by the system. “Now I’m still fighting to get it back,” she remarked.

Compensation Challenges

Mrs Elliott applied for compensation five years ago but claims she was offered just 5% of what she believes she is owed. Her testimony before the Post Office Inquiry in 2022 detailed losses, including wages and repossessed properties, amounting to approximately £1 million. “It feels like we have to beg to get it back,” she lamented.

She has lost both her shop and buy-to-let properties, and complicated cases like hers often encounter delays in compensation payouts. Despite appealing her compensation amount three times, she has now been advised to apply for the Horizon Shortfall Scheme (HSS), designed for sub-postmasters who experienced shortfalls without being convicted or involved in the Group Litigation Order. This scheme offers a fixed payment of £75,000 or an assessment of the application.

Mrs Elliott expressed frustration over the past five years, saying, “It’s just like starting over again. You’re constantly begging with them and constantly appealing, and it’s just going on too long.”

A Long Road to Justice

She remains sceptical about the compensation scheme’s effectiveness, noting that many sub-postmasters are still awaiting full payment. “I don’t think there’s very many who have got their full and fair redress,” she said, acknowledging that many may accept lower offers to avoid further battles. “I’m going to keep going until the end,” she asserted.

A spokesperson from the Department for Business and Trade acknowledged the plight of the affected postmasters and commended Sir Alan for his persistent advocacy. They noted an increase in the total compensation paid to postmasters since the current government took office and acknowledged the challenge of obtaining evidence due to the passage of time, pledging to give postmasters the benefit of the doubt. “Anyone unhappy with their offer can have their case reviewed by a panel of experts, which is independent of the government,” they added.