Sub-postmasters wrongly convicted in Post Office Horizon scandal can now apply for compensation of £600,000 or more
HUNDREDS of sub-postmasters wrongly convicted in the Post Office scandal can now apply for compensation of £600,000 or more.
Almost 900 branch owners, whose convictions were quashed earlier this year, are eligible for the scheme.
Two compensation routes are available — one that offers £600,000 as a final settlement and another for those who believe they are owed more.
Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “Postmasters have suffered immeasurably so I hope today’s new redress scheme brings some relief to those who have waited far too long to get back the money that is rightfully theirs.”
More than 900 former sub-postmasters were wrongly convicted of theft and fraud between 1999 and 2015, after the faulty Horizon IT system made it look as though money had gone missing.
Former PM Rishi Sunak ordered their mass exoneration once ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office highlighted their plight.
The new scheme gives sub-postmasters the same financial compensation offered to those who had their convictions overturned before the introduction of emergency legislation in May.
The Treasury has already set aside a £1billion fund to compensate victims.
The worst affected are expected to get compensation running into the millions.