Police contemplate charging corporate manslaughter in Post Office scandal.

Authorities investigating the Post Office Horizon IT scandal are now exploring the possibility of corporate manslaughter charges. According to a recent update shared with affected individuals, the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) stated that the probe is examining perjury and perverting the course of justice, alongside corporate manslaughter, which targets companies rather than individuals.

The current investigation centers on eight suspects, with five interviews already conducted under caution. The NPCC reported that 53 people are now considered persons of interest, most of whom may be formally classified as suspects later in the investigation.

David Enright, a lawyer representing numerous former sub-postmasters, told BBC Breakfast that proving corporate manslaughter is "very difficult." He explained that there must be a direct link between the actions of senior executives and any resulting death.

Former sub-postmaster Janet Skinner, who was wrongfully imprisoned in 2007 for false accounting, joined the briefing with investigators. She commented, "It's still just words. Unfortunately, we still have to wait for action to happen."

The Horizon IT system, which launched in 1999, inaccurately reported financial shortfalls in Post Office branches, for which sub-postmasters were unfairly held accountable. The case has been described as the UK's most extensive miscarriage of justice.

More than 900 individuals were prosecuted, some serving prison sentences, and several died while awaiting justice. Operation Olympos, the criminal investigation into the scandal, began in 2020. A year ago, a team of approximately 100 officers was deployed across four regional hubs, increasing activity after the public inquiry phase concluded.

Investigators are now urging former sub-postmasters who signed non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) with the Post Office to come forward, as the NDAs will no longer be enforced.

The NPCC emphasized that the investigation's primary focus remains on perverting the course of justice and perjury. However, advice is being sought from the Crown Prosecution Service regarding corporate and gross negligent manslaughter charges.

Sir Wyn Williams, chair of the public inquiry, released the first part of his final report on 8 July, with the second volume anticipated next year. The lead officer in the investigation previously informed the BBC that criminal trials may not occur before 2028.

Author: Sophia Brooks