Split trial length and timetable

Good morning

According to information I have seen, the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry only started sending out its “complaint letters” this month.

The letters will go to those who have been criticised in the later drafts of Sir Wyn Williams’ Inquiry report. The recipients will have an opportunity to respond before the publication of the final report.

This once-called “Maxwellisation” process will continue into April.

Whilst it is still feasible that the final Inquiry report will appear before the summer, this latest development makes it less likely. The last information we had was that the complaint letters would be going out in January. I have no idea why there has been this delay.

I don’t want to think about the knock-on implications for my book right now, but if the Inquiry now reports in the autumn, it’s going to be fun getting the book into the shops before Christmas. That doesn’t mean we can’t ship it to loyal pre-purchasers before then, but who knows what’s going to happen. Apologies once more to everyone who has already put their money down for a copy.

The more important matter is the delay to the report itself and the implications that has for prosecuting some of the Post Office and Fujitsu execs responsible for this scandal.

The last oral hearing of the Inquiry was in December 2024. We had Volume 1 of Sir Wyn’s final report in July 2025. Something very unusual is going to have to happen before we see the next volume appear before our MPs and judges disappear off to Chiantishire in August.

Also – will the next volume be the last? Who knows. The Inquiry has been singularly bad at communicating information to the public over the last few months.

Fujitsu and Post Office vs Lee Castleton

Speaking of lengthy delays, the Post Office and Fujitsu have finally filed a part-defence to Lee Castleton’s High Court claim. Lee is looking for three things – but the Post Office and Fujitsu have successfully persuaded the High Court that Things 2 and 3 are dependent on Thing 1, and so a two week trial of Thing 1 will happen (before August 2026) to decide to whether or not Things 2 and 3 can also be litigated (in a possible 12 week trial!)

I have written it all up here, as clearly as I can. You can also read the specific court filings and a short, clear judgment signposting the way forward in the same blog post.

I am tempted to call my next book Post Office: Infinity War given the timescales of this scandal. Dickens was onto something.

Bath Half

The Horizon Scandal Fund continues to help people in need. To raise much needed funds, two trustees, Helen and David from Bath Publishing/Cinto books, will once more be attempting not to die running the Bath Half Marathon this weekend.

They survived last time (see pic above), so I am confident they will do the same this time round. They ask that if you wish to support them in this endeavour, you donate directly to the Fund. We would all be very grateful.

Better Call Louis

My heartfelt thanks to every reader who helped make my interview with Private Eye’s Richard Brooks at the Oxford Literary Festival a sell out on Sat 21 March. The fact there are more than 100 people willing to get out of bed for a 10am start to witness (and take part in!) a discussion about the Post Office scandal is gratifying and a sign of how important the subject matter continues to be. We are currently trying to get the event moved to a bigger space, but that now looks unlikely, annoyingly.

If you still want to say hello, could I recommend a talk I am doing with Louis Charalambous immediately after the Richard Brooks talk at 12 noon on Sat 21 March.

Louis is a media lawyer who has written a rather splendid book about his career representing victims of tabloid monstering campaigns, Hollywood stars and toiling journalists doing their best to get investigations published/broadcast without being sued or injuncted by the Palace or the police. It’s a ripping read, and I’m looking forward to meeting Louis and talking to him about it. You can get tickets here.

Finally, and very off topic, I managed to get a genuine scoop in the gender wars over the line in the Mail on Sunday last weekend. The NHS has stopped prescribing cross-sex hormones to new patients under 18 due to the uncertain health outcomes. The story was followed up by the BBC and the BMJ, which doesn’t happen very often. If you have time, I’d recommend giving it a read.

Back with more Post Office stuff as I get it!

Nick

I will soon be publishing a new book about the Post Office scandal called The Great Post Office Cover-Up. You can put your money down now for a copy which will arrive after Sir Wyn Williams’ final report. Buying a pre-publication copy of the hardback (£15 + P&P) or paperback (£10 + P&P) will be cheaper than the post publication price, help support an independent publisher (by buying direct) and offer you the opportunity to join my secret email mailing list. For more info about the book, click here!