Oldest victim of Post Office scandal, 92, receives final payout

Oldest victim of Post Office scandal, 92, receives final payout

Betty Brown, the oldest surviving victim of the Post Office Horizon IT scandal, expressed relief at finally receiving her settlement from the government’s compensation scheme. After being forced out of her Post Office in Country Durham in 2003 due to alleged shortfalls that did not exist, Brown, now 92 years old, shared her excitement about being able to settle her affairs and increase the heating in her home. Her long-awaited settlement came after campaigner Sir Alan Bates secured a multi-million-pound compensation figure from the Post Office.

Reflecting on the 26-year struggle for justice, Brown stated that it was a pity the resolution took so long. The Horizon IT system, responsible for wrongfully prosecuting over 900 sub-postmasters and causing financial strain for thousands more like Brown, has been dubbed one of the largest miscarriages of justice in the UK. Brown was among the initial 555 victims who participated in the groundbreaking legal action led by Sir Alan Bates against the Post Office.

She commended Bates for his persistence in seeking justice and credited him as her hero. Brown noted the government’s increasing responsiveness to the grievances of the victims and acknowledged the progress in addressing the fallout from the scandal. Initially offered a fraction of her compensation claim, Brown’s case was eventually escalated to an independent panel due to unresolved issues related to income reduction and mental health damages. Following a challenging process of seeking recognition for her losses, Brown ultimately secured a settlement amounting to about 95% of her initial claim.

Despite finally receiving her settlement, Brown remains committed to advocating for justice for all former sub-postmasters affected by the scandal. She emphasized the importance of ensuring that every victim receives the compensation owed to them, highlighting the significance of the redress scheme in providing restitution for the injustices suffered. As a prominent figure in the campaign for justice, Brown continues to champion the cause through media appearances and interactions with government officials, tirelessly working to secure fair treatment for all individuals impacted by the Post Office Horizon IT scandal

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