Written question asked by Lord Sikka (Labour) on Tuesday, 30 January 2024, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 13 February 2024. It was answered by Lord Offord of Garvel (Conservative) on Tuesday, 13 February 2024 on behalf of the Department for Business and Trade.

Horizon IT System: WH Smith

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government how many postmasters or other staff members working at Post Office branches located within WH Smith have been prosecuted for alleged shortfalls arising from issues with the Horizon IT system; and how many of these prosecutions were reviewed while Henry Staunton was chairman of the Post Office.

Answer: We do not have the data related to WH Smith. In terms of reviewing prosecutions, after the landmark Court of Appeal judgment in April 2021, Post Office commissioned criminal lawyers to review all convictions which it had prosecuted which may have relied on Horizon data. Where Post Office has sufficient evidence that the conviction relied on Horizon data, it will contact that individual to let them know it would concede their appeal on the basis of evidence it holds, further to contact it has already made to convicted individuals. Furthermore, the Government is proceeding at pace with its commitments to legislate for the overturning of Post Office related convictions as per the Prime Minister's announcement of January 10th.

Secondary information