Alan Bates, the former subpostmaster who became the face of the fight for justice in the Post Office Horizon scandal, has launched a scathing attack on the "complete and utter madness" of the compensation process.
While hundreds of victims continue to wait for financial redress, former Post Office executives have received millions in salaries and bonuses, creating what Bates describes as a "grossly unfair" system that rewards those at the top while leaving victims in limbo.
The Compensation Standstill
Despite government promises and public outrage, many subpostmasters who suffered wrongful convictions and financial ruin due to the faulty Horizon IT system are still waiting for their full compensation. Bates revealed that the process remains painfully slow, with bureaucratic hurdles preventing victims from receiving what they're owed.
"It's absolute madness that we're still fighting this battle," Bates told the Mirror. "People's lives have been destroyed, some have died waiting for justice, and yet the wheels of compensation turn at a glacial pace."
Executive Rewards for Failure
The situation becomes even more galling when contrasted with the financial rewards given to former Post Office leadership. Recent disclosures show that executives who presided over the organization during the scandal have received substantial payouts, including:
- Multi-million pound salary packages
- Substantial bonus payments
- Generous pension contributions
- Exit packages worth millions
This disparity has drawn sharp criticism from MPs and campaigners alike, who question how those responsible for the crisis could be so handsomely rewarded while victims struggle to receive basic compensation.
A Call for Urgent Action
Bates is now calling for immediate government intervention to speed up the compensation process and ensure that victims receive their payments without further delay. He argues that the current system prioritizes protecting public finances over delivering justice to those wronged.
"The government needs to stop dragging its feet and make this right," Bates insisted. "These people have suffered enough - they shouldn't have to fight tooth and nail for compensation that is rightfully theirs."
The ongoing injustice highlights the continuing fallout from one of Britain's biggest miscarriages of justice, with victims and their families demanding accountability and proper restitution for their suffering.
