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Police investigating the Horizon IT scandal involving the Post Office are now exploring the possibility of pursuing corporate manslaughter charges. Recent updates shared with victims reveal that the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) is examining allegations including perjury, perverting the course of justice, and corporate manslaughter, the latter of which applies to organizations rather than individuals.
At present, the investigation centers on eight suspects, with five of them having already been interviewed under caution. Authorities have identified a total of 53 individuals of interest, many of whom are expected to be formally designated as suspects as the inquiry progresses.
David Enright, a lawyer representing numerous former sub-postmasters, commented on BBC Breakfast about the difficulty of proving corporate manslaughter, stating, “You have to have a clear linkage between the work of senior managers on an executive team to the death involved.” One of the victims, Janet Skinner, who was wrongly imprisoned following a false accounting conviction in 2007, attended a briefing with officers and expressed skepticism: “It’s still just words. Unfortunately, we still have to wait for action to happen.”
The Horizon IT system, launched in 1999, erroneously recorded financial shortfalls at Post Office branches, for which sub-postmasters were unfairly held accountable. This issue has been described as the largest miscarriage of justice in the UK. More than 900 individuals faced prosecution, with some imprisoned and others passing away before justice was served. The criminal investigation, known as Operation Olympos, began in 2020 and was expanded last year with about 100 officers working from four regional hubs once the public inquiry’s active phase concluded. Investigators are now urging former sub-postmasters who may have signed non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) with the Post Office to come forward, following the decision to no longer enforce these NDAs.
The NPCC emphasized that the primary focus continues to be on offences of perjury and perverting the course of justice. However, as with previous investigations into fraud offences, they are also seeking legal advice from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) regarding corporate and gross negligent manslaughter charges. Sir Wyn Williams, chair of the public inquiry, released the first part of his final report on 8 July, with the second volume anticipated next year. Police leading the probe have indicated that any related criminal trials are unlikely to occur before 2028
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