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Betty Brown, a 91-year-old former sub-postmistress, has been offered just 29% of the compensation she claimed for her losses relating to the Post Office IT scandal, where the Horizon computer system was installed in her branch and caused unexpected losses. She and her husband spent over £50,000 of their savings to compensate. The couple also had to sell their Post Office at a knockdown price in 2003, while Mrs Brown was hounded out of her job. Brown was one of the Post Office’s golden girls before the era of Horizon, as her branch was one of the most successful in her region.
Mrs Brown’s lawyers took almost three years to prepare her claim for compensation, however, the offer for settlement was far lower than what was claimed. Mrs Brown rejected the offer and will take her case to an independent panel for assessment. Mrs Brown was one of the original 555 victims of the Post Office, who had partaken in the landmark group legal action against the Post Office.
They won the legal battle five years ago, but never received proper compensation because the money was largely swallowed up by the huge costs of the case. They now have their compensation scheme, but so far only 221 victims have received their final redress. “You talk about the Christmas and goodwill. Where’s the goodwill towards sub-postmasters here?” questioned Brown.
Mark Chesher, a partner from Addleshaw Goddard, the law firm that assesses claims for GLO payouts, told MPs that his firm does try to maximise the offers and give the benefit of the doubt. Lawyers representing the companies delivering compensation were questioned by the Business and Trade Select Committee last month, due to the slow progress and complexity of the various schemes. The government spokesperson said that they are working tirelessly to provide the victims of the Horizon scandal with full and fair redress and that the government is settling claims faster than ever before
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