Jeremy Hunt, the Chancellor, has condemned the Post Office wrongful prosecution affair as a "horrific scandal" and pledged to fast-track compensation for the victims. This comes as the Metropolitan Police launches an investigation into potential fraud offenses related to the case. Between 1999 and 2015, numerous sub-postmasters were wrongly accused of theft due to accounting errors caused by the Post Office's Horizon IT system. Many of these individuals were imprisoned, and tragically, at least four took their own lives. The recent ITV drama, "Mr Bates vs The Post Office," shed light on their plight.

Accelerating Compensation

Mr. Hunt stated, "We started paying compensation—nearly £150million to around 3,000 people. We hear that message loud and clear." He further expressed his determination to expedite the compensation process during an interview on BBC Radio 4's Today. The government's response to the scandal is aimed at providing relief to the victims.

Investigation Uncertainties

It remains unclear whether the police investigation is targeting individuals or the Post Office as a corporate entity. The ongoing probe by the Metropolitan Police seeks to uncover any potential fraud offenses related to the case.

Pressure Mounts on Former Post Office Chief Exec

Paula Vennells, who received a £5 million payout upon leaving her role as the Post Office's chief executive in 2019, is facing calls to have her CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) revoked. Since the airing of the TV drama, she has remained secluded in her £2 million residence in Bedfordshire. Hampshire sub-postmaster Jo Hamilton, 66, who had her conviction for stealing £36,000 overturned in 2021, criticized Vennells and called for her to return her CBE. Hamilton remarked, "If she's got any moral compass, she should give it back. I would before it was taken off me. But in spite of being a vicar, she doesn't seem to have a moral code."