More than 900 subpostmasters were wrongfully prosecuted between 1999 and 2015 in what has been dubbed the worst miscarriage of justice in British authorized historical past.
Subpostmasters’ lives have been destroyed, with some bankrupted by authorized motion and despatched to jail.
The inquiry report discovered that the injury carried out was incomprehensible, with many making an attempt suicide after being accused of theft and deception. It additionally made various suggestions about tips on how to transfer ahead.
Monetary redress has often been flagged as a problem by subpostmasters – with many nonetheless awaiting full compensation, one other matter spoken about in size within the report.
Sir Wyn Williams, chair of the Submit Workplace Horizon IT Inquiry, mentioned on the launch of the report: “All through the entire size of the inquiry, I’ve acquired written proof and different sources of details about the character and scale of the human affect.
“The image which has emerged is profoundly disturbing.”
The primary quantity of the Horizon IT inquiry’s ultimate report printed on Tuesday covers the devastating affect on the lives of the scandal’s victims and the compensation course of. It begs the query, what occurs subsequent?
What is going to occur subsequent with the Submit Workplace scandal?
Prison trials are anticipated, however as but, it isn’t particular that any people will face trial over the scandal.
Investigations are ongoing however “could not begin till 2028”, a police officer main the investigation has mentioned.
Senior Met officer Stephen Clayton told the BBC: “The teams need to be really meticulous and [pay] attention to detail, but actually we are making some real progress.”
He added that the investigation has “identified seven suspects, and has 45 to 50 potential suspects in view”, but work is ongoing into the case.
The police have also said they will not hand files to prosecutors until after the final report from the public inquiry into the scandal, which is expected in 2026, is published.
The criminal investigation into the scandal, known as Operation Olympos, began in 2020. Two people were originally interviewed in 2021 but efforts ramped up after the public phase of the inquiry concluded in December 2024. Then, another two people were interviewed under caution, no names were given but it was two men in their 60s.
Cdr Clayman said the police started with “those at the front line – the Post Office investigators, solicitors, those who were involved in the immediate decision-making”.
“We are beginning to scope looking at wider management. That will happen, and is happening, it will just take time to get there,” he added.
Following the conclusion of the complete report – expected either later this year or early in 2026 – police will then go through the findings, and hand files regarding who they believe should be charged to the CPS.
He added: “This isn’t uncommon. Other large investigations linked to a public inquiry have exactly the same thing. And I really do understand the frustration for those who are at the centre of this, who are the victims.”
