Post Office Horizon scandal: The unanswered questions about

[ad_1]

Details of legislation to exonerate sub-postmasters who were wronged in the Horizon scandal have been set out by the government.

Between 1999 and 2015, more than 700 Post Office managers were prosecuted after faulty accounting software provided by Fujitsu made it seem like money was missing from their branches in the UK.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced earlier this year there would be blanket legislation to clear their names.

Although some details have now been announced by business minister Kevin Hollinrake in the Commons, there’s still a lot to find out, and key questions remain.

When?

We don’t yet know, for example, when we’ll see the full legislation and when it will be enacted, not least when those who suffered can apply and eventually be vindicated.

Essentially, we’re waiting to hear what the legislation says.

As for when we’ll find out, Mr Hollinrake himself gave two answers – the new legislation will be brought forward for scrutiny “shortly” and will become law “as soon as possible before summer recess”.

So ASAP, but before 23 July.

How?

Thursday’s announcement laid out a bit of how the legislation will determine which convictions are quashed – via a “set of clear and objective criteria” that will “not require any element of discretion or subjective analysis”.

What does that mean? We’ll have to wait to find out.