Former Post Office boss Paula Vennells recently gave evidence at an inquiry into the Horizon IT scandal, breaking her almost decade-long silence. She admitted letting down subpostmasters but claimed her only motivation was for the best for the Post Office and the postmasters she met. Vennells denied leading the Post Office through deception and manipulation, emphasizing her efforts to change the organization’s culture. The inquiry uncovered various revelations, including the fact that Vennells killed a review that could have exposed the IT scandal over a decade ago.
Vennells named five former senior Post Office employees who she felt had let her down by withholding information about the Horizon system issues. At the inquiry, she faced criticism from the public gallery for claiming not to remember certain details, including advice from a PR advisor not to review past prosecutions related to Horizon. Vennells broke down while giving evidence and admitted to being ‘too trusting’ and not knowing about the IT faults within the system. Text messages revealed that Vennells was accused by a friend of secretly knowing about the problems with the IT system.
Subpostmaster campaigner Alan Bates expressed his lack of sympathy for Vennells and questioned the authenticity of her apologies. During the inquiry, Vennells faced pointed questions and accusations from barristers, with one barrister accusing her of living in ‘la la land’ and leading the Post Office through deception and manipulation. Vennells was questioned about her handling of the High Court case brought by campaigner Alan Bates and other subpostmasters, with allegations that she set a tone of ‘eliminating’ subpostmasters.
The inquiry also delved into Vennells’ involvement in a review of the Horizon system that could have brought the IT scandal to light sooner. Emails and communications from Vennells during her time as Post Office boss were scrutinized, revealing instances where she seemed to downplay the severity of the Horizon issues. Despite admitting to her shortcomings and the suffering of subpostmasters and their families, Vennells faced further criticism for not taking responsibility for her actions and decisions.
The atmosphere at the inquiry was tense, with onlookers reacting vocally to Vennells’ statements and responses. Audience members groaned and booed during her testimony, reflecting the strong emotions and frustrations surrounding the Horizon scandal. Vennells’ testimony shed light on the inner workings and decisions of the Post Office during the period of the IT scandal, highlighting the challenges faced by subpostmasters and the impact of the controversy on their lives. The inquiry provided a platform for accountability and transparency regarding the Horizon scandal and its aftermath.
Overall, Paula Vennells’ appearance at the Horizon IT scandal inquiry was marked by emotional moments, tough questioning, and revelations about her role in the Post Office during the tumultuous period. The inquiry served as a forum for stakeholders to understand the events leading up to the scandal, examine the decisions made by Post Office leadership, and seek justice for affected subpostmasters. Vennells’ testimony and the reactions to it underscored the complexity and gravity of the Horizon scandal, shedding light on the challenges faced by those caught up in the ordeal.
