The widow of a Post Office scandal victim, who received a compensation offer days after his death, has described the situation as an «utter disgrace».
Janet Walters, 68, lost her husband Terry in February – a week before a letter arrived offering «less than half» of his original claim for financial redress.
Terry Walters – whose funeral is taking place today – was one of 555 sub-postmasters who won a legal battle against the Post Office in 2019.
Hundreds were falsely accused, and many wrongly convicted, of stealing from their branches between 1999 and 2015.
Janet has described the length of time many victims have had to wait for offers of compensation as another «scandal».
«I’ve told them I will not accept [the offer],» Janet tells Sky News. «I think it’s an utter disgrace.
«Not when I look at him and I think, no, what you’ve been through – I won’t just take anything and go away.
«It’s a scandal what they did with the Horizon system, it’s a scandal now because of the length of time it’s taken [on redress].»
Terry, who died aged 74, was part of the GLO (Group Litigation Order) Scheme established after the 2019 High Court win.
Its aim is to restore sub-postmasters to the financial position they would have been in had they not become victims of faulty Horizon software which caused false accounting shortfalls.
Terry had his Post Office contract terminated in 2008. He and Janet lost their business and then their family home.
They moved into rented accommodation where they lived for the past 15 years.
Janet and Terry Walters lost their business and family home after he had his Post Office contract ended
Janet said Terry’s claim was put forward in February 2024 and it has taken a year to receive an offer for redress from the government.
«It should have been a 40-day turnaround of an offer,» she says. «And it’s taken 12 months to receive an offer, an offer which came after Terry had passed away.
«They wanted a stroke report back in September to drag it out a bit more, to see if it’s being caused by all the stress from the Post Office.»
«I think it contributed considerably to the whole state of him,» she added.
Terry died a week before the redress scheme’s offer arrived
Postmasters should be given ‘the benefit of the doubt’, says campaigner
Lord Beamish, a prominent campaigner for justice for Post Office victims, says the redress offer process should «err on the side of the postmaster rather than the Post Office».
«I think it has been bureaucratic in the past, and I think it’s been trying to get information which is difficult to actually obtain,» he says.
«I think in those cases the benefit of the doubt should be put on the postmaster.»
Terry lost his Post Office in 2008
Lord Beamish is also critical of the 40-working-day turnaround for offers.
«I think individual cases should be dealt with on an individual basis,» he says.
«That 40 days shouldn’t be sacrosanct.»
«If you believe it can be resolved within a day or two, take action,» Lord Beamish suggests. He also emphasizes the importance of bringing people together to find a solution promptly, without unnecessary delays for additional information.
In related news, victims of a recent scandal are struggling to receive compensation, with over 3,500 sub-postmasters still awaiting redress. Lord Beamish expresses concern for over 60 victims who have not yet submitted claims due to being emotionally affected by the process. The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has issued 410 offers to 431 GLO claimants, aiming to settle claims within 40 working days and provide fair compensation to postmasters. However, delays persist, with many claimants still waiting for resolution.
The widow of a Post Office scandal victim, Janet Walters, criticizes the lengthy compensation process, calling it a disgrace. Her late husband, Terry Walters, was part of a group of sub-postmasters wrongly accused of theft from their branches. Janet refuses to accept a compensation offer received after Terry’s death, highlighting the injustice of the situation. She blames the faulty Horizon system for their financial losses and challenges the delay in redress for victims like Terry.
Terry’s claim for compensation, submitted in February 2024, took a year to receive an offer, far beyond the expected 40-day timeframe. Janet’s determination to fight for fair compensation reflects the ongoing struggles faced by victims of the Post Office scandal. It took a full year to receive an offer, and sadly, it came only after Terry had passed away. The delay was exacerbated by a request for a stroke report back in September, seemingly prolonging the process to investigate if stress from the Post Office was a contributing factor.
Terry’s partner expressed her belief that the stress he endured significantly impacted his overall well-being. The emotional toll of the situation was evident, especially since Terry had already passed away by the time the offer finally arrived.
Lord Beamish, a vocal advocate for justice for Post Office victims, emphasized the importance of giving postmasters the benefit of the doubt in these situations. He criticized the bureaucratic nature of the redress offer process, suggesting that the focus should shift towards supporting postmasters rather than prioritizing the Post Office’s interests.
Furthermore, Lord Beamish raised concerns about the lengthy 40-working-day turnaround for offers, arguing that each case should be assessed individually. He advocated for a more flexible approach that prioritizes swift resolution rather than adhering rigidly to a set timeline.
In addition, Lord Beamish stressed the importance of facilitating constructive dialogue and prompt resolution in these cases. He believed that obtaining additional information should not be used as a pretext for unnecessary delays, urging for a more efficient and compassionate approach to resolving these issues.
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) expressed condolences for Terry’s passing and extended support to his family and loved ones. They disclosed that 410 offers had been issued to 431 GLO claimants who had submitted claims, with a commitment to providing full and fair redress to affected postmasters.
According to government data, a significant number of GLO claimants had received compensation, but there were still individuals awaiting resolution. The DBT highlighted their efforts to expedite payments and address outstanding claims promptly to alleviate the financial burden on affected postmasters.
Moreover, the statistics revealed the ongoing challenges faced by sub-postmasters seeking compensation through the Horizon Shortfall Scheme (HSS). Despite progress in processing claims, a considerable number of postmasters were still awaiting resolution, underscoring the need for continued support and expedited action to deliver justice and closure to all those affected.
The plight of sub-postmasters awaiting compensation underscored the complexities and delays inherent in the redress process, prompting calls for greater efficiency and empathy in handling these sensitive cases. Lord Beamish’s advocacy for a more compassionate and expedited approach resonated with the ongoing struggles faced by postmasters seeking redress and closure in the wake of the Post Office scandal. The widow of a Post Office scandal victim, who received a compensation offer days after his death, has described the situation as an «utter disgrace». Janet Walters, 68, lost her husband Terry in February – a week before a letter arrived offering «less than half» of his original claim for financial redress. Terry Walters – whose funeral is taking place today – was one of 555 sub-postmasters who won a legal battle against the Post Office in 2019. Hundreds were falsely accused, and many wrongly convicted, of stealing from their branches between 1999 and 2015. More on Post Office Scandal. Postmasters should be given ‘the benefit of the doubt’, says campaigner.
SOURCE