This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/business-68875828

The article has changed 32 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 23 Version 24
Post Office latest: Lawyer deeply sorry for sub-postmasters' 'suffering', inquiry hears - BBC News Post Office latest: Lawyer deeply sorry for sub-postmasters' 'suffering', inquiry hears - BBC News
(32 minutes later)
Aujard is shown a document which appears to show Paula Vennells "resilling" from what he calls the executive committee's view over prosecutions of sub-postmasters. Simon Jack
"My recollections was the executive committee were in favour of ceasing prosecutions entirely but when the matter was discussed at the committee, Paula interjected or made the comment that the proposal should not be taken as what I had intended," Aujard says. Business editor
Aujard adds Vennells felt Post Office should continue to take some prosecutions rather than cease altogether. The Post Office's former head
in-house lawyer Chris Aujard has told the inquiry he remembers Paula Vennells opposing
a view from the rest of the top management team prosecutions of postmasters should be paused.
The former Post Office general counsel said: "My recollection is
that the executive committee were in favour of ceasing prosecutions entirely.
"But, when that
proposition was discussed at the committee, Paula interjected or made the
comment that proposition should not be taken as what I’d intended it to be –
never bringing prosecutions – but rather there should be limited prosecutorial
activity and PO should continue to take some prosecutions".
When asked whether she
seemed in favour of continuing to pursue cases relying on Horizon data, Aujard said Vennells was not specific at the time.
The Post Office's
leading in-house lawyer is essentially saying Paula Vennells was
determined to continue to prosecute post masters despite reservations of the
executive committee and his own.
FacebookFacebook
TwitterTwitter
ShareView more share optionsShare this postCopy this linkRead more about these links.ShareView more share optionsShare this postCopy this linkRead more about these links.
Copy this linkCopy this link