DPSComputing

Suzanne Winter, former Post Office Investigator is asked about whether full disclosure took place in the case of a subpostmaster accused of stealing money from his Post Office branch. Indeed, the legal team for the subpostmaster made a request for disclosure, having declared his defence, presumably to ensure that this could be addressed and possibly suspecting that this had not already taken place. We analyse the evidence and the testimony from Suzanne Winter about what enquiries were made and to whom, as well as the assurances that she says she received from Fujitsu regarding the reliability of the Horizon IT system in use at the Post Office. #PostOfficeInquiry #PostOfficeScandal #PostOffice #SuzanneWinter

What did a Forensic Accountants Report on Post Office Horizon Prosecution Data reveal when commissioned by the lawyers acting for a subpostmaster accused of stealing around £11,000 from his Post Office reveal? The report commissioned, at the end of 2004, looks into the Post Office Horizon data provided by the prosecution to analyse it and see if they can establish firstly, what the data shows and secondly whether a crime has been committed and, finally, if so, whether it points to their client as having committed it. We analyse the revealing findings from the forensic accountant and what action could have been subsequently taken by Post Office Investigators having received such a report. #PostOfficeInquiry #PostOfficeScandal #PostOffice

Data related to the Horizon IT system used at a Post Office is not available for a prosecution case brought by the Post Office - even in 2004 when forensic accountants are instructed by the accused to assess the evidence. But why would such data not exist and/or not be requested by Post Office Investigators leading the case? Despite requests for disclosure from the subpostmasters lawyers there appears to be either an unwillingness or inability to provide evidence that would surely be a cruicial part of the case against him? We analyse what the forensic accountants could find when looking at the available, if not limited, transaction data from Horizon. #PostOfficeInquiry #PostOfficeScandal #PostOffice

The discussion of an audit in the case of a subpostmistress whom was alleged to have stolen more than £4,000 revealed issues that she regularly had with balancing the accounts on a Wednesday since the Horizon system had been installed in her Post Office approximately two years before. Post Office Investigator Suzanne Winter said she wondered about remote access to Horizon after her own Post Office computer was accessed to fix an issue. Post Office Said NO Remote Horizon Access after Audit and she explains that when you're told that, effectively by the government, you accept it. We analyse both the audit and her investigation. #PostOfficeInquiry #PostOfficeScandal #PostOffice

Subpostmasters PLEAS for Help to Horizon Helpline are ignored when building a case against Maureen McKelvey at the Clanabogan Post Office in Northern Ireland as the Post Office Investigation team appears to want to focus solely on pension and benefits foils that they say do not correspond with the data entered into the Horizon system. We analyse the extensive list of calls placed by Maureen McKelvey to the Horizon Helpline including several issues with balancing, contacting to pay the Post Office for shortfalls on a regular basis as well as encountering other system issues. The PLEAS for help seem to go unheard as the Post Office Investigators proceed to prosecution. #PostOfficeInquiry #PostOfficeScandal #PostOffice

Post Office Investigator Witness Suzanne Winters testimony is brought to a close by Post Office Inquiry chair Sir Wyn asserting that we are 'Going Round in Circles' at the Post Office Inquiry. Presented with the letters from the Police Service of Northern Ireland and evidence from Maureen McKelvey's lawyers in addition to her numerous calls to the Horizon Helpline Suzanne Winters still asserts that this is not a Horizon case. Furthermore, the report passed onto the Police 2 years after the investigation commenced appears to be missing key parts of the evidence previously obtained since 2002 with assertions of guilt seemingly relying on the opinion of Post Office Investigators. #PostOfficeInquiry #PostOfficeScandal #PostOffice

Prosecutor UNAWARE of ADMISSABILITY of Horizon Evidence in a case brought against subpostmaster William Quarm despite legislation covering computer generated evidence being in place in Scotland since the 1960's. Following on from the lack of awareness of a prosecution code, David Teale appears to have another gap in legal knowledge that could have potentially prevented the case of this subpostmaster going to court. We analyse the legislation that was in place at the time relating to the admissability of Horizon like evidence in proceedings in Scotland that was used in the this Post Office prosecution as well as David Teale's testimony to the Post Office Inquiry. #PostOfficeInquiry #PostOfficeScandal #PostOffice #Fujitsu #FujitsuHorizon #FujitsuHorizonScandal

Prosecutor David Teale tells the Post Office Inquiry 'We had to TRUST the Post Office' when submitting reports for proposed subpostmaster prosecutions to the Procurator Fiscal's office that they would accurately and comprehensively summarise the evidence in the report they submitted to support the prosecution. He reveals how the Procurator Fiscal's office worked at the time including that a decision to prosecute would be taken based on the Post Office Investigators report alone without a review of the evidence available. #PostOfficeInquiry #PostOfficeScandal #PostOffice #DavidTeale

Post Office Relationship was based upon 'Trust and Assumptions' David Teale, former Procurator Fiscal, tells the Post Office Inquiry. He confirms that there were 'no safeguards' in place to ensure that the Post Office was aware of their responsibilities with regards to prosecuting subpostmasters and that there were no written guidance or protocols. Both the Procurator Fiscal and the Post Office had to trust that each other knew what their responsibilities were and that they were completing them accordingly. #PostOfficeInquiry #PostOfficeScandal #PostOffice #ProcuratorFiscal #DavidTeale

Post Office Manager Elaine Cottam appears to be confused not only by her OWN Professional Background but even what the question 'Describe your own professional background' means. Despite this, when challenged by Jason Beer KC, asking questions on behalf of the Post Office Inquiry, she says she has it already prepared right in front of her. It is possible that this is an attempt to explain the clearly inadequate witness statement provided by Elaine Cottam to the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry but either way, things aren't off to a great start. #PostOfficeInquiry #PostOfficeScandal #PostOffice #ElaineCottam #PostOfficeManager

Post Office Manager Elaine Cottam is asked whether she would LIE to the court by Jason Beer KC at the Post Office Inquiry when it becomes clear there is a massive discrepancy in the number of Post Offices she has testified to managing at the Post Office Inquiry compared to a witness statement prepared in 2003 for a prosecution of a subpostmaster. The error, not insignificant, is almost 100 Post Offices higher than she has initially claimed and seems unable, or reluctant, to initially answer whether she would have told the truth at the time in the sworn witness statement provided at the trial. #PostOfficeInquiry #PostOffice #PostOfficeScandal #ElaineCottam #PostOfficeManager

Post Office Manager Elaine Cottam writes what appears to be a GLOWING Reference MONTHS Before Dismissal of a subpostmistress, Julie Wolstenholme endorsing her to take over the Post Office. Commenting on her honesty, ability and history with the Post Office, Elaine Cottam wholeheartedly endorses her to take over her sick father's Post Office, that she has worked in consistently for a long time. But things turn sour within months as Elaine Cottam is then charged with writing a lengthy witness statement about apparent theft from the very Post Office she thought she was the ideal candidate for only months before over concerns relating to her and her husband. #PostOfficeInquiry #PostOffice #PostOfficeScandal #ElaineCottam #PostOfficeManager

Today at the Post Office Inquiry we hear from Frederick Leslie Thorpe who is a former Post Office INVESTIGATOR who used to be a SUBPOSTMASTER. His opening testimony to the Post Office Inquiry is very interesting, not least because his background seems to stand out from other Post Office Investigators that have been witnesses in that he does appear to say that he has suitable investigatory qualifications and experience as well as experience of being a subpostmaster in a Post Office himself. Surely this could only bode well for the cases that he's involved in? We analyse his background and testimony to the Post Office Inquiry. #PostOfficeInquiry #PostOfficeScandal #FrederickLeslieThorpe #PostOfficeInvestigator

Frederick Thorpe, former Post Office Investigation manager details how he took over the North East of England and when his equivalents in Northern Ireland and Scotland retired he also took on their jobs despite not appreciating the differences in law applying to the jurisdictions he was managing. Whilst tasked with being a team leader, Frederick Thorpe details how he was too busy working, as they were a small team, to effectively manage them. But the most damning revelation is when he says that Post Office Legal Services, who he reached out to for help when investigating cases against subpostmasters, Didn't Know the LAW of the jurisdictions the Post Office were operating in and 'couldn't help'! #PostOfficeInquiry #PostOfficeScandal #PostOffice #FrederickThorpe #PostOfficeInvestigation

Post Office Investigator Training 'Made Up As We Went Along' according to witness Frederick Thorpe, former Post Office Investigator. In line with previous testimony, Horizon training is limited to its use and a single day without any training on analysis of the data. Investigator training is led by other investigators but not formalised as to structure, content or assessment and doesn't include the law of the jurisdictions that they are managing cases in nor access to a legal time that has awareness of said law either. Unsurprisingly, the first case submitted is sent back as 'rubbish' by the Police Service of Northern Ireland... #PostOfficeInquiry #PostOfficeScandal #PostOffice #FrederickThorpe #PostOfficeInvestigation

Frederick Thorpe, former Post Office Investigator says Post Office Investigations ran with ZERO Guidelines prompting an investigator to develop a process which was then clarified to be copied from England after the Police in Northern Ireland rejected a 'rubbish' case file submitted for a Post Office Prosecution of a subpostmaster accused of stealing for their branch. It is clear from statements that the ability of anyone to manage such a large geographic area, let alone the number of cases that would entail, was seemingly not possible. #PostOfficeInquiry #PostOfficeScandal #PostOffice #FrederickThorpe #PostOfficeInvestigations

Post Office Special Audits appear to be characterised as fact finding to support a conclusion rather than an impartial investigation as 'we'd already made up our mind' to bring a criminal prosecution when the special audits were organised based on 'discrepencies' highlighted by a central office. The Post Office Inquiry hears from Frederick Thorpe who outlines what a special audit is and how they were run by the Post Office when prosecuting subpostmasters for alleged misconduct at their branches. #PostOfficeInquiry #PostOfficeScandal #PostOffice #FrederickThorpe #PostOfficeInvestigation #PostOfficeAudit

Post Office Prosecutor Kevin Sheils, involved in the prosecution of Maureen McKelvey APOLOGISES to Subpostmaster for his involvement in her conviction in 2004. Kevin Shiels witness statement stands out for the crowd in that he offers an apology to the Subpostmaster for his involvement in a Post Office prosecution against her due to allegations made by the Post Office of the conduct at her branch. Kevin Sheils is well qualified and his opening statements are delivered with openness and transparency as to his background and professional history. #PostOfficeInquiry #PostOfficeScandal #PostOffice #KevinSheils #PostOfficeProsecutor

Post Office Prosecutor Kevin Shiels says 'No Great Weight' was applied to Police claims of sufficient evidence in the case of Maureen McKelvey. Kevin Sheils outlines a robust process that he followed in all cases he handled - including the one Post Office case that he came across. He tells the Post Office Inquiry that he had no prior, nor future, involvement in any Post Office prosecutions apart from that of Maureen McKelvey. Suzanne Winters investigation reports form a substantial part of both the Post Office and Police cases against Maureen McKelvey accusing her of theft of pension money from her Post Office. #PostOfficeInquiry #PostOfficeScandal #PostOffice #KevinSheils #PostOfficeProsecution

Post Office Prosecutor Kevin Sheils tells the Post Office Inquiry how he RELIED UPON Post Office Investigation conclusions by Suzanne Winter that the accused subpostmaster was guilty of theft from her Post Office. He answers questions relating to his initial handling of the case as well as detailing the process that he followed to establish if there was a case to answer as well as discussing Suzanne Winter's investigation report on behalf of the Post Office and how this fit into his decision making process. #PostOfficeInquiry #PostOfficeScandal #PostOffice #KevinSheils #PostOfficeProsecution

Post Office Prosecutor Kevin Sheils tells the Post Office Inquiry that he DOES NOT Consider Horizon Errors when deciding whether or not to launch a prosecution following a Post Office Investigation by Suzanne Winter against Maureen McKelvey despite admitting that it is a potential conclusion along with human error. The Post Office Investigation report doesn't mention the potential for Horizon errors raised by Maureen McKelvey during her interview whilst under investigation and states definitively that the conclusion, based upon evidence, that is reached is that she deliberately stole money from her Post Office by claiming for non-existent pension foils - even when alternative explanations are available. #PostOfficeInquiry #PostOfficeScandal #PostOffice #KevinShiels #PostOfficeProsecution

Post Office Manager Graham Ward delivers the revelation to the Post Office Inquiry that he NEVER found ANYTHING suggesting the innocence of subpostmasters accused of wrongdoing at their Post Office branches. This is despite his involvement in high profile criminal prosecutions of subpostmasters in addition to civil cases - most notably those of Noel Thomas and Lee Castleton. Whilst seeming to understand that his role requires both 'thorough investigation' and to explore 'all reasonable avenues' of enquiry he struggles when asked by Jason Beer KC as to what his understanding of both these terms are. #PostOfficeInquiry #PostOfficeScandal #PostOffice #GrahamWard

Senior Post Office Manager Graham Ward is WARNED not to Self Incriminate by Sir Wyn, chair of the Post Office Inquiry, prior to giving his testimony and evidence today. In an usual move compared to recent witnesses, despite all having such a right, Graham Ward is specifically warned about this right and the process to follow if he wishes to exercise his right against self incrimination. Could this be indicative of the Post Office Inquiry believing he may have some very interesting things to say considering he has held senior roles within the Post Office and has direct involvement in a number of subpostmasters cases? #PostOfficeInquiry #PostOfficeScandal #PostOffice #GrahamWard

NO Post Office Investigation Changes Following Horizon despite the fact that it was the largest non-military project embarked upon in Europe at the time and the fact that it fundamentally changed how Post Offices up and down the country worked. Formal training didn't happen - on the system or seemingly any other topic and only informal work shadowing of someone using the Horizon system for half a day or so seemed to be the sum total of all training. There was no training on how Horizon produced data or even how to analyse the data it did produce. Questions about the accuracy of Horizon were not raised as part of investigations from memory. #PostOfficeInquiry #PostOfficeScandal #PostOffice #GrahamWard

Post Office Manager describes Casework Management at Post Office Security as essentially a function to make subpostmasters prosecution documents look PRETTY! Along with 'managing' two spreadsheets by entering data collected by others and literally handing off files from one organisation to an other the main duty of the role appears to have been formatting of documents and ensuring that page numbers were appropriately applied. Graham Ward tells the Post Office Inquiry that there was no checking of the substance or conduct of the investigation as that was the responsibility of their line manager. #PostOfficeInquiry #PostOfficeScandal #PostOffice #GrahamWard