The FT article additionally stated the Put up Workplace, which used prosecution powers accessible to personal companies within the UK, obtained 700 of the 900 convictions. The opposite convictions got here in instances introduced by Scottish prosecutors. The scandal could result in reforms of the non-public prosecution system that lets organizations take individuals to courtroom.
Bugs Had been Understood “Approach Again to 1999”
Earlier this week, Patterson advised UK Parliament members that “Fujitsu wish to apologize for our half on this appalling miscarriage of justice. We had been concerned from the very begin. We did have bugs and errors within the system and we did assist the Put up Workplace of their prosecutions of the sub-postmasters. For that we’re really sorry.”
Patterson additionally advised Parliament members that Fujitsu has “an ethical obligation” to contribute to the compensation for victims.
Patterson testified at this time in a unique setting, answering questions from legal professionals representing victims. A type of legal professionals, Flora Web page, requested Patterson, “Did no person traditionally make that fairly apparent connection between very poor code going out into operation after which very poor information popping out and thru the litigation help service?”
Patterson answered, “Whether or not individuals made that connection or not, what could be very evident… is that that connection and understanding about what was occurring and the place was it, was understood by actually Fujitsu and definitely understood by Put up Workplace approach again to 1999. It is all about what you do with that info… that could be a query for this inquiry.”
Put up Workplace Minister Kevin Hollinrake, the MP for Thirsk and Malton, advised the BBC that his “primary precedence” is to “attempt to get compensation and get solutions for individuals.”
“You have had marriages fail, individuals commit suicide, an horrendous impression on individuals’s lives,” he stated. “It is completely affordable that the general public ought to demand individuals are held to account and that ought to imply legal prosecutions wherever doable.” The UK authorities additionally has plans for a brand new legislation to “swiftly exonerate and compensate” individuals who had been falsely convicted.
This story initially appeared on Ars Technica.
