Over 1 million people have signed a petition calling for former Post Office boss Paula Vennells to be stripped of her CBE title. This comes on the same day that a high-stakes government meeting is taking place to address the fallout from the Horizon scandal. Justice Secretary Alex Chalk and postal minister Kevin Hollinrake will discuss ways to clear the names of hundreds of convicted sub-postmasters. The scandal, which was recently dramatized in the ITV series "Mr Bates vs The Post Office," accused sub-postmasters of financial discrepancies caused by the Horizon IT system.

Petition Reaches Million Milestone

A petition demanding the removal of Paula Vennells' CBE has reached a staggering one million signatures. The petition gained traction following the broadcast of the ITV drama "Mr Bates vs The Post Office," which shed light on the scandal. Vennells served as the CEO of the Post Office during a time when the company denied any problems with the Horizon IT system.

Government Meeting to Address Fallout

Justice Secretary Alex Chalk and postal minister Kevin Hollinrake are set to meet today to discuss ways to clear the names of convicted sub-postmasters. The meeting comes amidst public outcry over the unjust accusations made by the Post Office and the airing of the ITV drama. The government is under increasing pressure to take action and right the wrongs of the Horizon scandal.

Post Office Executives Must be Held Accountable

Treasury Minister Bim Afolami stated that senior Post Office executives "absolutely need to account for their actions." However, he emphasized that it is not up to individual ministers to decide whether Paula Vennells should keep her title. Meanwhile, Shadow Environment Secretary Steve Reed has called for Vennells to return her honor, stating that it is an insult to the sub-postmasters who suffered due to her leadership.

Public Inquiry and New Potential Victims

The Post Office, which is owned by the government, is currently under a public inquiry into the Horizon scandal. Since the airing of the ITV drama, reports suggest that 50 new potential victims have come forward with claims of wrongful convictions. The pressure is mounting on the government to take action and ensure justice is served.

Options for Exoneration

Justice Secretary Alex Chalk is exploring options to help clear the names of those convicted in the Horizon scandal. One option being considered is whether the Crown Prosecution Service could take over the appeals process, potentially making it easier for convictions to be overturned. Former Cabinet Minister David Davis stressed the importance of accelerating the exoneration process and holding those responsible accountable.

As Parliament returns from its Christmas recess, Prime Minister Boris Johnson will face increasing pressure from MPs and campaigners to do more to address the injustices of the Horizon scandal.