Subpostmasters who were impacted by errors in the Post Office’s Capture software, similar to Horizon users, are facing inadequate compensation offers and challenges in appealing these offers.
Former subpostmaster Lee Bowerman is advocating for fairness in the redress schemes for former Horizon users, as he recently received a settlement offer in the Capture redress scheme that only amounted to 7% of his calculated claim.
Considering withdrawing from the compensation scheme he helped create, Bowerman has reached out to Department of Business and Trade (DBT) minister Blair McDougall to request a pause on his claim.
Having lost his business over 30 years ago in South Wales, Bowerman highlighted the disparity between assurances of parity with the Horizon redress schemes and the actual treatment of Capture users in terms of loss recognition, appeal process, and valuation principles.
Expressing concerns about the lack of appeal opportunities and changes in appeal rules since the launch of the scheme, Bowerman emphasized the need for resolution on issues of fairness, appeal process structure, treatment of historic losses, and revised guidance application.
The government disputes Bowerman’s 7% claim, asserting that the Capture compensation scheme aims to provide redress for impacted subpostmasters and their families, allowing unhappy claimants to appeal to the independent panel chair.
As of December 19, the Capture compensation scheme has received 110 applications, with 20 deemed eligible, 90 under assessment, and one offer made but not yet accepted. Eligible claimants are entitled to a preliminary payment of £10,000 before a full financial redress offer is determined by an independent panel.
Reflecting on cases in the Horizon compensation scheme where initial settlements were significantly increased on appeal, Bowerman and other Capture victims feel marginalized and demand fair treatment.
While the Capture scheme offers initial redress payments of £10,000 and final award bands up to £300,000, Bowerman urges for a pause in his claim to address systemic issues before proceeding further.
Campaigners advocate for convictions of Capture victims to be overturned similar to those based on Horizon evidence, with the Horizon Compensation Advisory Board pushing for legislative action to address convictions stemming from the error-prone Capture system.
Seeking justice for subpostmasters impacted by Post Office IT systems, efforts are underway to rectify miscarriages of justice through the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) and calls for legislative intervention to overturn wrongful convictions based on the flawed Capture system.
