Press release -
Sir Anthony Hooper appointed as independent chair of working group overseeing initial mediation scheme for Subpostmasters
- Appointment part of Post Office’s commitment to addressing concerns raised by subpostmasters
- Initial Mediation Scheme created to review cases
Post Office has announced that Sir Anthony Hooper has been appointed as Independent Chair of the Working Group overseeing the Initial Mediation Scheme established to address the concerns raised by some subpostmasters regarding the organisation’s Horizon computer system and its supporting processes.
As an Independent Chair, Sir Anthony will provide leadership and scrutiny to ensure the scheme fully achieves its objectives in providing a forum for the resolution of subpostmasters’ complaints.
As former Lord Justice of Appeal, Sir Anthony heard many criminal appeals, deciding complex issues of law and fact. He also presided in the Divisional Court. Sir Anthony’s particular areas of expertise have included fraud, money laundering, public interest immunity, employment law and all aspects of administrative law.
Commenting on the appointment, Angela Van Den Bogerd Post Office Head of Partnerships said: “We’re delighted that Sir Anthony Hooper has been appointed as Chair of the Working Group. His wealth of experience in handling complex cases will be invaluable.”
“Subpostmasters are the lifeblood of our business and we take their concerns extremely seriously. We hope the appointment of Sir Anthony as the Independent Chair will reassure them of our commitment to ensuring all concerns are fully investigated.”
The Mediation Scheme was established following the publication of the interim report into the Horizon system produced by Second Sight in July. The report stated that so far no evidence of system wide (systemic) problems with the Horizon software had been found.
However, it noted that improvements could be made in the training and support processes provided to subpostmasters. In response to the report the Post Office made a number of commitments, one of which was to create this Mediation Scheme.The Post Office, JFSA (Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance), and Second Sight, the independent investigators, have formed a Working Group to develop and monitor the scheme which is available to both current and former subpostmasters.
Alan Bates of Justice for Subpostmasters (JFSP) said: “We welcome the appointment of Sir Anthony Hooper as Chairman. The Working Group can only benefit from his considerable experience of dealing with complex issues such as those the case reviews will be dealing with.”
Subpostmasters wishing to submit an application should visit jfsa.org.uk for further information.
Ends
The Post Office is responding to the Second Sight report with three new initiatives aimed at addressing concerns raised, improving future processes, and examining potential structural changes to support sub-postmasters:
In addition to establishing the independent mediation scheme, a Working Group has been created to build on the work started by Second Sight last year and to develop it into this mediation scheme.
A new Branch User Forum is also being established to provide a way for sub-postmasters and others to raise concerns and insights around business processes, training and support, directly feeding into the organisation’s thinking at the highest level. A key task for this forum will be to review support processes and training to ensure they meet the standards expected of the Post Office.
The Horizon system has around 68,000 users and processes more than six million transactions every day. The total number of cases put forward by users to Second Sight as part for its external review was 47, less than 0.1 per cent of the total number of users of the Horizon system.
The mediation process will be open both to subpostmasters who raised concerns through the Second Sight review, and also any who feel they have a dispute with the Horizon system (or an associated issue) which requires resolution. The scheme will involve cases being independently investigated by Second Sight followed, where appropriate, by a face-to-face discussion between the Post Office and the subpostmaster chaired by a neutral mediator.
The scheme is being supervised by the Working Group comprising representatives from Post Office, JFSA, and Second Sight. Any subpostmaster wishing to take part in the scheme must submit an application through Second Sight which will review each case for eligibility.
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