Alan Bates, the former subpostmaster whose relentless campaigning exposed the Horizon IT scandal, has declared his determination to continue fighting for complete justice for all victims. The man who inspired the ITV drama 'Mr Bates vs The Post Office' revealed that despite recent government promises, hundreds of affected postmasters are still waiting for proper compensation.
The Unfinished Battle for Justice
In an exclusive interview, Bates expressed his frustration at the ongoing delays in compensating victims properly. "The fight isn't over until every single person affected receives the justice they deserve," he stated, highlighting that many former subpostmasters continue to suffer financial and emotional devastation years after their wrongful convictions.
A System Still Failing Victims
The Horizon accounting system, developed by Fujitsu, falsely indicated financial shortfalls in Post Office branches across the UK between 1999 and 2015. This led to what has been described as Britain's most widespread miscarriage of justice, with over 900 subpostmasters wrongly prosecuted for theft, fraud and false accounting.
Despite Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's announcement of new legislation to quash convictions and provide compensation, Bates revealed that the reality on the ground remains bleak for many victims. The complex claims process and bureaucratic hurdles continue to prevent former subpostmasters from rebuilding their lives.
The Human Cost of Institutional Failure
The personal stories emerging from the scandal paint a harrowing picture:
- Families losing their life savings and homes
- Marriages destroyed under the strain of false accusations
- Multiple suicides linked to the wrongful prosecutions
- Health problems exacerbated by years of stress and financial worry
- Elderly victims who may not live to see full compensation
Bates emphasised that the psychological damage inflicted on victims cannot be overstated, with many still dealing with trauma years after their convictions were overturned.
Call for Corporate Accountability
The campaigner has called for greater accountability from both the Post Office and Fujitsu, questioning why those responsible for the flawed system and subsequent cover-up haven't faced proper consequences. "Until we see individuals held accountable for their actions, we cannot claim this chapter is closed," Bates asserted.
As the public inquiry into the scandal continues, pressure mounts on the government to deliver on its promises and ensure that no victim is left behind in what remains one of the most shameful episodes in British corporate and legal history.
