Simon Recaldin says staff involved in Horizon prosecutions were brought in for their 'skill base' but did not check for conflicts of interest
A Post Office boss has apologised after it emerged staff involved in Horizon prosecutions were given jobs managing compensation claims.
The continuing public inquiry heard that the Post Office has been carrying out a “past roles review” this year which has identified at least 23 current staff working in roles related to redressing for sub-postmasters who had links to the Horizon scandal.
Simon Recaldin, director of the Remediation Unit, said he has been involved in the process of trying to redeploy or end the contracts of these employees.
He said they had been given roles in administering redress “for good reasons” because of their “skill base” but admitted that checks should have been made on their employment history for potential “conflicts”.
“When that team was built, I don’t think that was taken formally into consideration,” Mr Recaldin said.
He added: “My regret is, and it is a genuine regret, is that when I came in, in January 2022 that I didn’t do that conflicts check …check on my inheritance and challenge that.
“And that I absolutely apologise for because I think it’s something that should have been done.”
Among the staff working in the remediation unit who had links to Horizon prosecutions was Brian Trotter, a former contract manager at the Post Office who was involved in suspending sub-postmasters.
Mr Recaldin admitted he only became aware of Mr Trotter’s history when he was called to give evidence at the public inquiry last year.
Mr Trotter was ‘exited’ from the Post Office when he fixed-term contract ended in mid-2023, the inquiry heard, and Mr Recaldin insisted he had performed a purely “admin” role and had no “influence” on decisions about compensation for sub-postmasters.
However, Mr Recaldin admitted, regardless of his role, it was a “problem”.
“It doesn’t matter what role he was employed in as a contractor, it’s a problem,” he added.
“It should never have happened, it’s outrageous that that was allowed to happen.
“It’s a blatant conflict of interest.”
Mr Recaldin told the inquiry that making sure Mr Trotter left his role was “one of the most difficult things I’ve had to do in Post Office”.
Asked why, Mr Recaldin claimed that Mr Trotter’s line manager had felt “uncomfortable” with the decision.
Other staff with links to the Horizon scandal to have left the remediation unit include Caroline Richards, the inquiry heard.
In March this year, i revealed that Ms Richards was working in the compensation team despite her role in the prosecution of former sub-postmistress Jacqueline McDonald.
Ms McDonald, a mother of three, was wrongly accused of stealing £100,000 from her branch in the village of Broughton, Lancashire, in 2009 and sentenced to 18 months in prison.
The ongoing public inquiry heard how Ms Richards visited Ms McDonald’s branch in her capacity as a manager with Post Office investigator Stephen Bradshaw.
Ms McDonald’s assistant Katie Noblet later wrote a letter of complaint which described the behaviour of Ms Richards and investigator Stephen Bradshaw during the visit as “unprofessional” and “disgusting”.
In December 2021, Ms Richards, who had worked in the Post Office for more than 30 years, was given a role as a “senior dispute resolution manager” on the Horizon Shortfall Scheme, the fund set up to compensate postmasters who were not criminally convicted but had lost money due to the faulty IT system.
She was part of a small team helping to administer these claims, with a job description for the role stating it included “ensuring all cases are investigated or reviewed fairly and impartially”.
During his evidence, Mr Recaldin was shown an email he sent to a large list of recepients including Ms Richards.
Julian Blake, KC to the inquiry, pointed out her name and said: “She’s someone who the inquiry has heard visited a postmaster with Stephen Bradshaw the investigator.”
Mr Recaldin later confirmed: “Caroline Richards now, is not in the business.”
Mr Recaldin agreed that the Post Office’s efforts to remove employees with Horizon history from compensation claims was “dragging on”.
“There is some serious challenges in Post Office around decision-making and making very, very tough decisions,” he added.
“And therefore, not wanting to make decisions, and therefore, potentially elongating processes.
“And for lack of a better word, this is not an appropriate word but… kicking things into the long grass.”
The inquiry, led by Sir Wyn Williams, is in its final phase of hearing evidence and will conclude by the end of the year.