Inquiry Chair Sir Wyn Williams has announced today (May 15) that he intends to publish the first part of his final report this summer, days after the Post Office Horizon scandal's oldest victim lashed out at the PM for delaying compensation.
Sir Willliam's report's first volume will focus on redress (compensation) and the human impact of the scandal.
Sir Wyn Williams said, “Throughout my investigations, I have heard how people have faced unimaginable hardship due to the impacts of the Horizon scandal, from wrongful convictions and financial ruin to broken relationships and severe emotional distress.
"I have also held several compensation hearings, which have stressed the urgency for people to receive redress that is full, fair and prompt.
“I have always been of the view that those who have been affected by the Horizon scandal should be at the heart of the Inquiry’s work. So, it seems fitting that my conclusions on the suffering endured by so many, as well as the issue of redress, should be at the forefront of my report and published as soon as feasibly possible.”
The report will be published on the Inquiry website and laid in Parliament in line with the Inquiry’s Terms of Reference.
Under Rule 13 of the Inquiry Rules 2006, the Inquiry has issued warning letters to those criticised in the report, allowing them a reasonable opportunity to respond.
Sir Wyn was tasked with ensuring there is a public summary of the failings which occurred with the Horizon IT system at the Post Office leading to the suspension, termination of subpostmasters’ contracts, prosecution and conviction of subpostmasters.
The Inquiry looked to establish a clear account of the implementation and failings of the system over its lifetime (a period of over 20 years).
The Inquiry gathered relevant evidence from affected persons, previous and current subpostmasters and subpostmistresses, Post Office Ltd, UK Government Investment (UKGI), Fujitsu, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), amongst others.
This comes a day after oldest surviving victim of Post Office scandal hit out at the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer after revealing she is still waiting for her full compensation.
Betty Brown, 92, from Stanley, Durham, appeared on ITV's Good Morning Britain on Tuesday (May 13) and revealed she is convinced she will never see compensation in her lifetime.
More than 900 sub-postmasters were prosecuted between 1999 and 2015 after faulty Horizon accounting software made it look as though money was missing from their accounts.
Hundreds are still awaiting compensation despite the previous government announcing that those who have had convictions quashed are eligible for £600,000 payouts. The Post Office has paid out roughly £438 million to 3,100 claimants though Brown is yet to be compensated.
Brown stated that she believes Sir Keir has been dragging his feet when it comes to ensuring victims are paid their full compensation.
"I can't understand why people like me are still yet to get justice and that's what we want. It's absolutely disgusting the way we've been treated. Diabolical," she said.
Brown added that she believes the Labour leader has all the necessary information to ensure the process is concluded as quickly as possible.
'He wants to do the deed, why is he carrying on, why is he continuing this little game he has?" she said.
Brown ran her Post Office in the small town of Stanley with her husband Oswald for more than 70 years. Her world was turned upside down with the introduction of the Horizon system which regularly reported that there were shortfalls in her till of up to £1,500 a day.
Despite contacting the Post office helpline for support, Brown took the drastic step of using her life savings, more than £100,000 to plug the gap.
