Hero who inspired hit ITV post office scandal drama rejects compensation offer, calling it 'cruel'
THE hero who inspired a hit ITV drama about the Post Office scandal has rejected an offer of compensation, calling it 'cruel'.
Alan Bates said the government only offered him “about a sixth” of the compensation he requested.
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Former Subpostmaster Bates spent 20 years fighting for justice after becoming a victim of… Horizon IT scandal.
Dodgy Horizon accounting software made it seem like money was missing Post office branches throughout Great Britain.
The defective IT system led to the unlawful act persecution of hundreds of sub-postmasters, many of whom have never received compensation.
Bates, who was forced to stop running his post office in 2003, has led the sub-postmasters' fight to clear their names.
His story inspired the ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office, which sparked a belated public outcry over the scandal.
The Government has promised to give sub-postmasters “full and fair compensation” but Bates last night rejected her “ridiculous” offer.
He told the Telegraph: “'Full and fair' could be the interpretation of His Majesty's Government.
“But in reality, the offer is ridiculous, insulting and, after all this time, yes, cruel.
“I will absolutely reject this offer of financial compensation. It's just a terrible way to treat people.
“I have heard of several sub-postmasters who have received similar ridiculous offers, while others are still waiting.”
A government spokesperson said: “We continue to appreciate the work Mr Bates has done.
“He has campaigned for fair compensation following the miscarriage of justice that affected so many during the Horizon IT scandal, something we are committed to.
“If an applicant to the GLO scheme feels that he or she is owed more than what is being offered, we are happy to discuss the evidence with them legal advisors.
“If we cannot agree, decisions will be made by an independent panel including legal and accounting experts, who will ensure a fair hearing based on the evidence.
“In most cases we have agreed the amount of compensation for people from whom we have received claims.
“59 people have submitted claims and 44 offers have been made, proving that most claims are being decided quickly.
“We continue to encourage the 400 GLO members who have not filed a claim to come forward.”
Earlier this month, ex-post office boss Paula Vennells has returned her CBE “with immediate effect”. after over a million people signed a petition.
Meanwhile, ashamed Investigator Gary Thomas said the Post Office paid out bonuses for each Horizon conviction – as a chef's shocking email mocking innocent victims is revealed.
Who is Alan Bates?
ALAN Bates took over a post office counter in Llandudno, North Wales, in 1998.
His contract was terminated in 2003 after the faulty Horizon system said £6,000 was missing from his books.
Bates' careful records proved him innocent, but the Post Office insisted £1,200 was still missing.
The shopkeeper lost his post office counter and his £60,000 investment.
Bates summoned other subpostmasters who had been wrongly accused of helping themselves to the till.
He and 554 others took the Post Office to the Supreme Court, where a judge ruled that Horizon was riddled with “bugs, errors and defects.”
The sub-postmasters were awarded £58 million in a settlement with the Post Office.
But after legal costs were deducted, each victim walked away with an average of £20,000.
Last year the government launched a new compensation scheme, the Group Litigation Order (GLO).
An investigation into the scandal is also underway, which will be completed in the summer.