Secret email about the Post Office Scandal. Shh!

The Horizon IT inquiry’s transparency problem

Evidence will not be published

Hello everyone

Child 1 developed a cough on Thursday so we went into isolation as a family. She was tested on Friday and we have now been waiting 46 hours for a result. I hope we don’t have to wait too much longer.

On the upside, I have the opportunity to do some Post Office work.

I have written (twice) to the Post Office Horizon IT inquiry asking some basic questions about access. The answers are concerning (read them here). I have requested that before the issue of media access to the inquiry is finalised, journalists can make formal representations to Sir Wyn Williams, the inquiry chair, highlighting the importance of proper scrutiny.

Read all about it

I’ve seen a couple of superb TV pieces featuring Wendy Buffrey and Lee Castleton recently. In fact, if you live in the north of England, do watch Caroline Bilton’s full interview with Lee Castleton on BBC Politics North at 10am today.

The written journalism has been fascinating to read:

Karl Flinders on an ongoing Horizon IT glitch.

Tony Collins on Alan Bates recent missive to the Justice For Subpostmasters Alliance.

And yesterday The Daily Telegraph alerted its readers to the different legal approaches to the Postmaster appeals (££), both of which carry significant risks for the appellants. I’ve been aware this has been brewing for a while, and will hopefully be able to print something a bit more in-depth than the Telegraph article this week.

Welcome to the gang

Thank you and welcome to all the new subscribers who have pitched in to join the secret emailers in recent weeks.

Two years ago last Thursday the kickstarter crowdfunding campaign which led to the establishment of the Post Office Trial website was concluded.

My first piece of journalism on the new website – “Extremely Aggressive Litigation” – was published two years ago this Tuesday. A lot has happened since then, and your support has allowed me to report it. I am as deeply grateful now as I was then.

Enjoy what’s left of your weekend, and lets hope Child 1 gets her test result soon or the entire family will be climbing up the walls, not just the kids.

Best

Nick


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