The Horizon IT scandal represents one of the most devastating miscarriages of justice in British legal history, with hundreds of postmasters wrongly accused of theft and false accounting due to catastrophic software failures.
The Software That Lied
Between 1999 and 2015, the Post Office relentlessly pursued over 900 sub-postmasters and postmistresses across the UK, prosecuting 700 based on evidence from the deeply flawed Horizon accounting system developed by Fujitsu. The software consistently showed financial shortfalls that simply didn't exist, destroying lives and livelihoods in the process.
Lives Shattered by False Accusations
Victims describe being treated like common criminals, with many losing their homes, life savings, and reputations. Families were torn apart as the Post Office maintained its aggressive prosecution strategy despite mounting evidence of system failures.
"They took everything from me - my business, my standing in the community, and nearly my sanity," one former postmaster revealed. "I had done nothing wrong, but the system said I was a thief."
The Long Road to Justice
After years of campaigning and legal battles, the Court of Appeal finally quashed 39 convictions in a single day in 2021, acknowledging the Post Office's "institutional obstinacy" and "bare assertions without proper investigation." Yet hundreds more victims still await justice and proper compensation.
Who Knew What and When?
Documents revealed during the ongoing public inquiry show that both the Post Office and Fujitsu were aware of Horizon's problems for years. Internal communications suggest knowledge of the system's flaws while continuing to prosecute innocent people.
The Compensation Battle Continues
While the government has established compensation schemes, many victims report the process remains painfully slow and bureaucratic. Some have received interim payments, but full compensation for the devastation caused remains elusive for most.
A System Still Under Scrutiny
The Horizon scandal has raised fundamental questions about corporate accountability, the relationship between technology and justice, and how large institutions can fail the very people they're meant to serve. The public inquiry continues to uncover disturbing details about how this catastrophe was allowed to happen.
