Following the Minister’s statement on the Post Office Horizon scandal, James Sunderland welcomes the robust approach being taken by the Government to ensure that compensation will be paid quickly to all victims; wrongful convictions will be overturned; and ensuring those responsible will be held to account and justice will be done. He further calls for the judicial system, that presided over so many wrongful convictions, to be reviewed.
James Sunderland (Bracknell) (Con)
The Minister has today provided the House with what I see as three key assurances: namely, that compensation will be paid quickly to all victims; that wrongful convictions will be overturned; and that those responsible, whether from the Post Office, Fujitsu or elsewhere, will be held to account, ideally with criminal prosecutions. Does he agree? Can he reassure my constituents in Bracknell that a judicial system that presided over so many wrongful convictions will also be reviewed?
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Kevin Hollinrake)
My hon. Friend is right; rapid and fair compensation is exactly what we are seeking to deliver. It has to be seen to be fair. We also need an easier route to overturning convictions, and we are determined to take that forward, as well as individuals being held to account. He raises an important point on the judicial system, and potentially the trust we place upon computer records seems to have played a part in this case. That is a lesson we potentially need to learn across the legal framework, and I know the Justice Secretary has that in mind.