‘It is unacceptable that this could be delayed further due to a lack of funding’
A campaigner has slated the ‘incomprehensible’ possibility that Post Office scandal victims could have to wait another five years to see justice.
Former West Boldon sub-postmaster and Horizon scandal campaigner Christopher Head | Local Library
Chris Head was falsely accused of stealing more than £80,000 from his branch in West Boldon, in 2006, before the criminal case against him was dropped.
And even though his own compensation case has been settled, he has continued to fight for justice for hundreds of other people who are caught up in the Horizon scandal.
Today, Chris reacted to the news that the criminal investigation into the scandal - which is a joint national police investigation between the National Police Chiefs' Council and the Metropolitan Police Service, with involvement from police forces across the UK - could be delayed by five years without millions in additional funding.
Chris said it was ‘absolutely vital that the government releases whatever funding the MET requires to meet their late 2027 early 2028 timeline. The victims of this scandal deserve nothing less. They have waited well over 20 years for justice and accountability and it is unacceptable that this could be delayed further due to a lack of funding.
“When you consider how much has been spent on lawyers for the Post Office and the government over the years, a figure that runs into hundreds of millions of pounds, it is incomprehensible to victims that justice maybe delayed for a further 5 years because the government does not grant the additional funding that is required."
Chris added: “"Around 18 months ago the MET increased its team from 40 to the current 110 and now say they need to double it again to approximately 220 officers to continue to build the cases for the CPS. I think that tells you the complexity of what they are facing, and the sheer number of documents they are examining. The last update over 6 months ago it was around 5 million documents, today the Commander Stephen Clayman said that number was 8 million and set to rise further.”
Commander Stephen Clayman , who is leading the national police inquiry, said the size of the investigation team would need to nearly double from 111 to 210 if it is to submit files to prosecutors for charging decisions by late next year or early 2028.
The Home Office has provided a special grant of £2.8 million while the projected budget for the investigation is up to £19.3 million "for 2026/27 and beyond", meaning a shortfall of £16.5 million.
In a statement issued to the media after investigators had given victims an update on Tuesday, Mr Clayman said: "Our ongoing priority remains to deliver justice for victims and families affected by the Post Office Horizon scandal.
"Earlier today, we met with victims to provide an update on our investigation, outline the progress made so far and explain some of the challenges we are facing.
"Many of these victims have been living with the impact of this for 24 years, some have already died and many more are reaching older age.
"Put simply, we do not have the luxury of time and must provide answers as soon as possible to those who so desperately deserve them."