Legislation has been passed that will automatically exonerate
sub-postmasters who were wrongly convicted as a result of the
faulty Horizon IT system, the day after Royal Assent is granted.
Those whose convictions are quashed under the Post Office
(Horizon System) Offences (Scotland) Bill will be able to access
the UK Government financial redress scheme.
After the Scottish Parliament agreed to use its emergency
procedure, the Bill has been introduced and passed in just over
two weeks – to allow justice and redress to be delivered to
victims as swiftly as possible in line with the UK Bill, which
did not cover sub-postmasters in Scotland.
Sub-postmasters who previously sought to appeal their convictions
will now also be exonerated, following a Scottish Government
amendment to the Bill, brought at Stage two, in Parliament.
Justice Secretary said:
“I hope this Bill goes some way to bring justice to innocent
sub-postmasters who had their lives ruined by being wrongly
convicted of offences of dishonesty on the basis of tainted
evidence from the faulty Post Office Horizon system.
“As the UK Government's legislation was not extended to cover
Scotland, we have worked as quickly as possible to ensure parity
for affected sub-postmasters here, who will also be able to
access the UK Government's compensation scheme.
“The unprecedented step of introducing legislation to right this
terrible wrong was necessary to respond to the scale of the
scandal and the length of time that victims have waited for
justice.
“We will now be seeking Royal Assent for the Bill as quickly as
possible so affected sub-postmasters can have their convictions
quashed and then access the compensation they deserve.”
Background
The Post Office (Horizon System) Offences (Scotland) Bill will
mean relevant convictions are automatically quashed on the day
after the legislation is granted Royal Assent and those
exonerated will then be able to access the UK Government
financial redress scheme, in line with its requirements.
The legislation will exonerate convicted sub-postmasters where
the following criteria are met:
- the conviction was for embezzlement, fraud, theft, uttering
or an ancillary offence committed between 23 September 1996 and
31 December 2018
- the person was carrying on a Post Office business, or working
in a Post Office for the purpose of a Post Office business
- the conviction was in connection with carrying on, or working
for the purpose of the Post Office business
- the Horizon system was being used for the purposes of the
Post Office business in the relevant Post Office
Post Office (Horizon System)
Offences (Scotland) Bill
