Two Bolton MPs have weighed in over concerns that IT company Fujitsu is still getting government projects despite its role in the Post Office scandal.
Several of the borough’s sub postmasters were amongst around 1,000 people to be wrongly prosecuted, in some cases even jailed, thanks to Fujitsu’s defective Horizon accounting system.
But despite this the Japanese tech giant is still getting multimillion pound contracts from the government, sparking concern amongst MPs across the country.
Bolton South and Walkden MP Yasmin Qureshi said: “Like so many other MPs, I’ve been contacted by people whose lives were turned upside down by the Horizon scandal, and Fujitsu have acknowledged it’s wrongdoing, but hasn’t done anything to make amends.
“I have signed this letter to urge the government to ensure that companies like Fujitsu which is responsible for miscarriages of justice like this do not profit from public finances.”
The open letter signed by parliamentarians including Ms Qureshi and her Bolton West colleague Phil Brickell MP calls on the government to immediately review Fujitsu’s suitability for contracts.
It also calls on the government to ensure that any supplier involved in “systemic failures” to demonstrate “meaningful remediation and cooperation with the compensation process”.
Mr Brickell said: “Fujitsu's Horizon system was deeply flawed.
“Instead of finding the fault and owning up, Fujitsu and the Post Office sat back and allowed the wrongful conviction of circa 1000 sub-postmasters.
“The story is now well known but Fujitsu has still been awarded government contracts in other areas.
“Many victims of the Horizon scandal still do not have justice and Fujitsu has not paid a single penny in compensation.
“Fujitsu has acknowledged wrongdoing and its European CEO Paul Patterson admitted in 2024 that the company has a “moral obligation to contribute” to the people affected by this.
“They have failed so far to step up.
“Many sub-postmasters and their families had their lives destroyed and whilst financial compensation will not make up for what some have been through it would certainly be a step in the right direction.
“It is vitally important that Fujitsu are held to account and that their suitability to hold government contracts is questioned.
“Proper due diligence in relation to government contracts is a key way to restore public trust in our institutions.”
Fujitsu has previously said it has a “moral obligation” to contribute the compensation.
This is pending the outcome of a public inquiry led by Sir Wyn Williams.
A Fujitsu spokesperson said in July: “We have apologised for, and deeply regret, our role in subpostmasters’ suffering. We hope for a swift resolution that ensures a just outcome for the victims.
“We are considering the recommendations set out by Sir Wyn in volume one of the inquiry’s report and are engaged with government regarding Fujitsu’s contribution to compensation.”