It has almost been two years since Boris Johnson announced his contentious plan to relocate illegal migrants to Rwanda.
It's hard to think of a TV drama having such swift political impact. Kevin Hollinrake, the minister responsible, said they did not want it to become a protracted 'administrative exercise', and the idea was that sub-postmasters would simply sign a statement to the effect that they did not commit the crimes they were accused of.Īnyone found to have signed it untruthfully would put themselves at risk of prosecution.Ĭross-party consensus also makes it clear that the hero of the scandal, Alan Bates, who led the campaign against the Horizon system, should receive an honour - now that former post office boss Paula Vennells has handed back hers.Ī Downing Street spokesman was unable to say if this legislation was in train before the ITV show aired. The outcome of the ongoing public inquiry into the scandal is expected in May. Other groups will hear what they may be entitled to in the coming days.įor a decision of this magnitude, this is a fast pace.
Upfront compensation of £75,000 will be awarded to the 555 postmasters who took their case to the High Court in 2019 as a group litigation. The hope is compensation will be delivered by the end of the year. The prime minister's spokesman confirmed at a briefing for journalists the new laws announced today to exonerate and compensate wronged sub-postmasters will be brought to parliament 'in the coming weeks'.
