The police investigation into the Post Office Horizon IT scandal has widened to include potential corporate manslaughter charges, as officers confirm eight suspects are now under formal scrutiny.
In an update issued to victims in recent days, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) said five individuals have so far been interviewed under caution as part of Operation Olympos, the national criminal probe launched in 2020. The number of persons of interest has risen to 53, with most expected to be escalated to suspect status as the investigation progresses.
While the inquiry continues to centre on allegations of perjury and perverting the course of justice, the NPCC confirmed it is also seeking Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) advice on potential charges of corporate and gross negligent manslaughter—offences that apply to organisations rather than individuals.
Operation Olympos was significantly scaled up last year, with a 100-strong national team established across four regional hubs following the conclusion of the public inquiry’s main hearings. Material relating to several suspects has already been passed to the CPS and will continue to be submitted until prosecutors have sufficient evidence to make charging decisions.
Police have also appealed to former sub-postmasters who signed Post Office non-disclosure agreements to come forward. The NPCC has received written confirmation that these NDAs will no longer be enforced, clearing the way for additional testimony.
The Horizon system, introduced in 1999 by Fujitsu and used across Post Office branches, generated phantom financial shortfalls that led to what has been described as the largest miscarriage of justice in UK history. More than 900 sub-postmasters were wrongly prosecuted, with some serving prison sentences and others dying before their names were cleared.
The first volume of Sir Wyn Williams’ long-awaited final report into the scandal was published on 8 July, with the second due next year. However, senior officers have warned that any resulting criminal trials are unlikely to commence before 2028.
None of the suspects have been named, though the NPCC has previously said persons of interest include Post Office investigators, lawyers, and senior management across both the Post Office and Fujitsu.