Fujitsu has agreed to start talks with the British government on the contribution to compensation for victims of the post office scandal.
Hundreds of sub-maids were falsely accused of having stolen their branches between 1999 and 2015.
Fujitsu has developed the defective horizon computer system responsible for erroneous accounts in accounting which led to unjustified convictions. They also supported the post office in its prosecution.
More than a year ago, the boss of Fujitsu, Paul Patterson, said that the company had a “moral obligation” to contribute to the reparation of the victims.
Affairs Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and Mr. Patterson held a “positive and constructive” meeting in Japan – where Fujitsu agreed to start the talks on remuneration.
The British government “welcomes a repeated commitment by Fujitsu to its moral obligation to contribute” to the remuneration of the victims of the horizon scandal, according to a joint statement.
Jonathan Reynolds, seen here at the Horizon Post Office IT Investigation, went to Japan for Reunion. Peak: pa
Before the completion of the investigation into the scandal, the pair “agreed to progress discussions concerning the contribution of Fujitsu, recognizing that many parties are involved,” he added.
The officials “will continue to engage with Fujitsu”, but the British government will not make a “current comment” on the discussions, according to the press release.
He also said that the government was “grateful” for Fujitsu’s commitment with the post office investigation “and its continuous accent on the provision of its public service commitments to the United Kingdom”.
‘Total disgrace’
He comes like the widow of a Post office scandal The victim, who received compensation, a few days after his death, described his situation as a “total shame”.
Janet Walters, 68, lost her husband Terry in February – a week before the arrival of a letter offering “less than half” of his request for financial repair.
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Terry Walters was one of the 555 sub-posts of subpostes who won a legal battle against the post office in 2019.
Janet described the duration of many victims had to wait for a compensation offer like another “scandal”.
“I told them that I will not accept (the offer),” Janet told Sky News. “I think it’s a total shame.
“It is a scandal what they did with the Horizon system, it is a scandal now because of the duration it is taken (on repair).”
Protesters outside the computer post office station of the horizon last year. Peak: pa
Thousands awaiting compensation
The new figures show more than 768 million pounds sterling have now been paid to more than 5,100 victims in all repair regimes.
The Department of Affairs and Commerce said it was a “more than triple” of the total repair amount paid since June 2024.
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However, there are still hundreds awaiting compensation in the GLO (Group Litigation Order), with more than 200 to receive complete repair.
There are also more than 4,000 to pay in the Horizon Racfall program (HSS), although since last month, more than 700 has received compensation.
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In a separate declaration after the meeting in Japan, Mr. Reynolds said: “We must never forget the lives ruined by the horizon scandal and no distribution can remove this pain. But justice can and must be done.
“This government is determined to take up officials to account and will continue to progress quickly in remuneration and repair.
“Since we took office, we have more than tripled the total amount of the reparation paid to the victims, and today we have taken another important step towards justice.”