Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Former Post Office minister expresses 'embarrassment' over scandal

Tolhurst also spoke of the challenges of her ministerial role and the difficulty in obtaining accurate information from the Post Office.

Former Post Office minister expresses 'embarrassment' over scandal

A FORMER Post Office minister has expressed her "embarrassment" and "utter shame" over the wrongful accusations against sub-postmasters for theft and false accounting.

Kelly Tolhurst, the former minister responsible for the Post Office from July 2018 to February 2020, on Wednesday (17) testified at the Post Office Horizon IT inquiry.


She is the first former minister to provide evidence in this phase of the public inquiry.

Tolhurst recounted how the Post Office initially assured her of the reliability of the Horizon computer system and its strong legal position against 555 sub-postmasters who had brought a case five years prior. However, in March 2019, Justice Fraser’s ruling in favour of the sub-postmasters was a "lightbulb moment" for her, reported the BBC.

From 1999 to 2013, hundreds of sub-postmasters were convicted based on flawed Horizon system evidence, marking one of Britain's largest miscarriages of justice.

In 2019, Justice Fraser condemned the IT system as significantly flawed, leading to the overturning of wrongful convictions.

In her testimony, Tolhurst described her immediate reaction as one of "embarrassment" and "utter shame" for the Post Office's reprehensible behaviour towards the sub-postmasters. She acknowledged that, in hindsight, she should have recognised the risks of the Horizon system earlier, admitting there were many things she wished she had done differently.

Tolhurst also spoke of the challenges of her ministerial role and the difficulty in obtaining accurate information from the Post Office. She expressed concerns about Tom Cooper, the government's representative on the Post Office board, suggesting he had "gone native" and lost his independent oversight.

Despite thinking it was "madness" for the Post Office to attempt to remove the judge following the first trial judgment, Tolhurst felt powerless to stop it, citing her reliance on legal advice and her position as a junior minister.

She believed the structure of the Post Office, as a government-owned limited company, restricted her authority to intervene directly.

Tolhurst denied using this as an excuse to avoid involvement, insisting she fundamentally believed she was unable to act. She felt her only significant power was the "nuclear option" of firing the Post Office chairman, though barrister Angela Patrick argued she still had leverage even without resorting to such drastic measures.

The former minister expressed sadness that sub-postmasters were dissatisfied with their settlement, which saw most compensation consumed by legal costs, though she clarified she was not involved in negotiating the settlement.

In her witness statement, Tolhurst revealed that when she learned in November 2018 that Post Office CEO Paula Vennells was stepping down, her private secretary speculated via WhatsApp that Vennells might be leaving in anticipation of the litigation’s negative outcome.

After serving at the Department of Transport, Tolhurst lost her Rochester and Strood seat in the 2024 general election.

More For You

Southport

Floral tributes left by members of the public are seen following the fatal knife attack on three young girls in July in Southport.

Reuters

Public inquiry begins into Southport girls' murders

A PUBLIC inquiry begins on Tuesday into the murders of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event in Southport last year.

The inquiry will examine whether the attack could have been prevented and how future incidents might be avoided.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer-Getty

Starmer is facing a Labour backbench revolt over plans to reform special needs support in schools without guaranteeing existing legal rights. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images)

Starmer faces Labour pushback over SEND reform plans

KEIR STARMER is facing a backlash from Labour MPs over plans to reform special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support, after ministers stopped short of guaranteeing legal rights for parents.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the government was committed to reforming the current system, which costs £12 billion a year. However, she did not confirm if legally enforceable rights, such as those provided by education, health and care plans (EHCPs), would remain.

Keep ReadingShow less
Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit London

Londoners faced a wet and stormy start to the week

iStock

Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit London before 30°C heatwave

Key points

  • Heavy rain and thunderstorms drench London at the start of the week
  • Temperatures set to rise with highs of 31°C expected by Thursday
  • Heatwave could be declared by Friday if warm conditions persist
  • Night-time temperatures to remain high, increasing discomfort
  • UV and pollen levels forecast to be very high across the south

Thunderstorms soak London before summer heat returns

Londoners faced a wet and stormy start to the week as heavy rain and overnight thunderstorms swept through the capital. Monday morning saw widespread downpours, leaving commuters reaching for umbrellas and Wimbledon ticket hopefuls queuing in ponchos.

The unsettled conditions followed a burst of thunderstorms on Sunday afternoon and continued into the early hours of Monday, prompting caution across the city. The Met Office has not issued a formal weather warning for thunderstorms, but conditions remain unstable.

Keep ReadingShow less
National Trust sets vision to heal
nature and engage more Asians

Lisa Nandy, Steve Reed, René Olivieri and Hilary McGrady at a National Trust event marking its 130th anniversary

National Trust sets vision to heal nature and engage more Asians

THE National Trust, which is seeking to broaden its appeal to British Asians, is marking its 130th anniversary with a renewed commitment to restoring nature and widening access under a 10-year strategy.

Its director-general, Hilary McGrady, also aims to inspire more people to get involved in caring for the country’s natural resources.

Keep ReadingShow less
 7/7 bombings

The King said the public should draw on the 'extraordinary courage and compassion' shown in response to the attacks. (Photo credit: X/@RoyalFamily)

Starmer and King Charles pay tribute on 20th anniversary of 7/7 bombings

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer and King Charles on Monday paid tribute to the unity shown in the aftermath of the 7 July bombings in London, as the country marked 20 years since the attacks.

On 7 July 2005, four Islamist extremists carried out suicide bombings at Aldgate Station, Edgware Road, King's Cross and Tavistock Square. The attacks killed 52 people and injured hundreds more.

Keep ReadingShow less