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/uk-69042928

The article has changed 35 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 18 Version 19
Post Office inquiry live: Ex-boss Paula Vennells gives second day of evidence - BBC News Post Office inquiry live: Ex-boss Paula Vennells gives second day of evidence - BBC News
(32 minutes later)
We'll be going into the weeds of evidence today, but here's a reminder of how many people were convicted in the Post Office Horizon scandal. Inquiry counsel Jason Beer displays a document showing the Post Office's three options to take forward issues it had with Second Sight.
There have been 983 UK-wide convictions, with 700 being Post Office prosecutions and 283 prosecutions brought by other groups, including the Crown Prosecution Service, since the Horizon System was installed in 1999, according to the Department for Business and Trade. The third option - Plan C - was to replace Second Sight if they didn't agree to the "proposed terms of engagement" with the Post Office.
So far just 95 have had their convictions overturned. Despite their appointment in mid-2012, had no terms of engagement been settled by 2013 for Second Sight? Beer asks.
A draft report uncovered by the BBC shows the Post Office spent £100m fighting the group in court despite knowing its defence was untrue. The Post Office said it would be "inappropriate" to comment. "I don't know of terms of engagement," Vennells replies, saying that wasn't something she would have been involved with.
The Criminal Cases Review Commission said the scandal was "the most widespread miscarriage of justice" it had seen. "Was it anticipated that Second Sight would refuse to work under the terms of engagement that the Post Office required?" Beer asks.
The Post Office prosecutions include some in Scotland and Northern Ireland, where separate action will have to be taken to clear those affected. "It seems to say so here, I don't recall being aware of that," Vennells replies.
She adds that there were concerns within the Post Office that the investigation was becoming too costly and taking too long, even though very few cases had been reviewed.
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