Plus: more bonus madness
Hi everyone
Sorry – I know I said I’d try to get something out by Wednesday. I couldn’t for various reasons. I have, however written three blog posts this week, completed several interviews for the Episode 18 of The Great Post Office Trial and finally got to see The Damned in concert, a band I fell in love with 37 years ago.
I’m not sure how much the latter helped my productivity, but it put me in a temporary good mood.
I have been returned to grouchiness by Jane Davies’ witness statement to the inquiry. Davies was employed by the Post Office as their Chief People Officer in 2022. Her witness statement suggests the Post Office was, back then at least, completely out of control. She is currently in dispute with them.
Davies is a whistleblower. Perhaps the most important one to come forward from the Post Office to date. It is shameful she was not called as a witness to the Inquiry.
Parliament and/or Op Olympus need to be investigating what she is alleging.
You can read more here: “Post Office CEO allegedly sought to put back redress targets to secure bonus“
Closing statements
It was strange to witness the final two days of the inquiry – I get the feeling there are many people I won’t get the chance to see for a very long time. I spoke at length to a number of former Subpostmasters who had travelled many miles to be there. Being annoying I also interviewed and photographed as many people as possible (including Sir Wyn Williams!)
I am deeply grateful to everyone who posed for me and gave me their time, especially Perm and Jess who I have wanted to interview for ages. I’d also like to thank Davinder and Seema for the bottle of wine and Nicole for the chocolates.
Nicole is a former Subpostmaster who after suffering on her own for a long time realised she wasn’t the only one in a similar position this year.
We met at the first (and to date) only Horizon Scandal Fund drinks in July, which was Nicole’s first opportunity to speak to other Subpostmasters who had been through the mill in the same way. It was, as you can imagine, quite an emotional occasion for her.
Nicole kindly brought 500 mince pies to the last two days of the Inquiry along with 1000 chocolate brussel sprouts! She has not told her story publicly yet, and she is very camera-shy, but I can testify, having eaten six of them (over two days! I’m not a monster), she makes a damn fine pie.
You can read my write ups of the closing statements to the Inquiry here:
Closing statements day 2 – Circular Firing Squad
On Tuesday Sir Wyn said his final report would take “many months”. Today the Inquiry issued its own newsletter, including a quote from the Chair who says:
“People have waited long enough to hear the truth… I am determined to provide answers to those directly affected as swiftly as possible.”
I am going to slope off now as I need to do some Christmas shopping. This will likely be my last newsletter before the Christmas break.
Don’t forget if you are stuck for a present, you can order my books from pretty much anywhere, but they’re going super cheap on Amazon right now.
If you want to give a beloved relative a phantom present, please consider pre-buying a hardback or paperback edition of my forthcoming Post Office book (you can put the order confirmation email in their Christmas card!).
The first 1000 hardbacks will be signed and numbered, which hopefully will make them a bit special. I am reliably told by my publisher that there aren’t many left, so get in quick! More details here or below.
Have a fabulous Christmas and thanks so much for all your support.
Yours
Nick