Pre-Horizon users contacting lawyers as more Post Office IT horror stories emerge | Computer Weekly
Summary
The Post Office has so far refused to give any details on the system, described by some former users as “a glorified spreadsheet”, or how many people were prosecuted or sacked based on its data, but it did say that anyone who believes they have suffered as a result of errors pre-Horizon should come forward. David Enright, a lawyer at Howe & Co solicitors – which represents victims of the scandal, too – said the company has also been contacted by a few former subpostmasters who used pre-Horizon systems. We are investigating, including specific cases brought to our attention, and will transparently publish our findings.” Meanwhile, Kevan Jones MP has written to government minister Kevin Hollinrake looking for answers why subpostmasters were blamed for errors caused when using software, known as Capture, in Post Office branches in the 1990s. He highlighted evidence that the Post Office knew the system was flawed but still blamed and even prosecuted subpostmasters when auditors found unexplained accounting shortfalls. “I feel exposed again now, having put my story out there, which I thought was a good thing because I wanted people to know it wasn’t my fault.” Lewis believes he was sacked because he had raised issues about the Capture system.