The Long Route to Trial
Hi everyone
It was grand not very nice to be back at the Rolls Building today for another round of Subpostmaster vs Evil Empire. I have a huge amount of respect for (some) lawyers, but anyone telling you we have a justice system which is the envy of the world has money, which most people don’t.
Anyway on the upside, it was lovely to see Lee and Lisa Castleton, Paul Marshall, David and Lola from the SMB legal team and a variety of hacks including (therefore not limited to) the great Karl Flinders (Computer Weekly), Emma Simpson (BBC), Sam Tobin (Reuters) and a nice man from PA called Callum.
I arrived in good time and stood outside court chatting with the various journalists. Lee turned up and had a chat with everyone and then we went in.
The hearing room was packed. Lots of agency journalists, lots of lawyers and vast swathes of people on the Post Office/Fujitsu side who just seemed to turn up and do nothing. Fujitsu, according to Paul Marshall have already spent £700,000 fighting this case and they haven’t even filed a defence.
Anyway – I’ve written it all up for you here. And I’ve also posted up several hours of reading material in the live tweets, Lee’s initial claim, plus all the skeleton arguments from today.
Do please have a read and let me know what you think.
Other random takes on today’s action include:
BBC – Post Office and Fujitsu accused of delaying £4m legal claim
The Yorkshire Press – Evidence withheld when Bridlington sub-postmaster was sued – court
and, er, the Washington Newsday – Post Office Faces Legal Battle Over Horizon Scandal Claims
I am actually quite unwell, and I hope I didn’t cough and splutter too much over people in court today. I hope you will forgive me if I retire, and I hope the above is of use.
And welcome new subscribers!
Best
Nick
I am (still) writing 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!
