The government is facing increased pressure to reassess its partnership with Fujitsu, despite the supplier’s involvement in the Post Office scandal. Recent investigations have highlighted conflict-of-interest risks associated with the government’s heavy reliance on Fujitsu, particularly in sensitive areas like policing.
Over 70 MPs and peers have called for a review of Fujitsu’s eligibility to bid for critical government services, following its central role in what has been deemed the widest miscarriage of justice in British history. Politicians, including long-time campaigner James Arbuthnot, have urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to reconsider Fujitsu’s involvement in government projects and to mandate suppliers with a history of systemic failures to cooperate with compensation processes.
The takeover of British tech firm ICL in the 1990s paved the way for Fujitsu’s strong presence in the UK government, including securing the lucrative Post Office Horizon contract. Despite ongoing controversies, Fujitsu has maintained a deep relationship with the public sector, making its removal from government projects challenging.
Recent revelations have shed light on Fujitsu’s extensive involvement in government contracts, with undisclosed subcontracting agreements worth millions. The government’s reliance on Fujitsu is further evident in its recent extension of the Law Enforcement Community Network (LECN) contract, despite ongoing investigations into the supplier’s role in the Post Office scandal.
Questions have been raised regarding potential conflicts of interest in the Home Office’s contract with Fujitsu, particularly in light of the Operation Olympos investigation. The government’s decision to continue working with Fujitsu, despite these concerns, has sparked criticism from experts and the public alike.
The Post Office scandal, originally exposed by Computer Weekly in 2009, continues to raise questions about accountability and justice within the UK public sector. The impact of Fujitsu’s involvement in government projects, particularly in sensitive areas like policing, underscores the need for greater scrutiny and transparency in supplier relationships.
