Sir Alan Bates has expressed his frustration with the handling of the Horizon scandal, stating that “all the wrongdoers seem to be evading accountability” following his substantial settlement. The former subpostmaster criticized the redress schemes for victims of the Post Office’s faulty computer system as resembling “quasi-kangaroo courts,” highlighting the severe impact on approximately 1,000 individuals wrongly prosecuted between 1999 and 2015.
In an interview with the Mirror, the 70-year-old emphasized the need for those responsible for the injustice to face consequences. Despite receiving his final settlement, Sir Alan stressed the importance of criminal convictions against those found guilty, acknowledging that justice may be delayed as “all the wrongdoers seem to be hiding.”
The pursuit of justice gained momentum after the broadcast of the ITV drama “Mr Bates Vs The Post Office,” prompting Sir Alan to settle his claim after rejecting two previous counter-offers. While the settlement amount remains undisclosed, it is estimated to be between £4 million and £5 million. Around 100 subpostmasters are yet to resolve their claims, with Sir Alan advising them to persist in challenging the offers provided under the ex gratia scheme.
Following the settlement, Sir Alan shared his plans to relocate to a new residence in Wales and commence writing his memoirs to document the events surrounding the Horizon scandal. The Department of Business and Trade (DBT) confirmed the settlement and commended Sir Alan for his advocacy on behalf of victims, recognizing the total payout exceeding £1.2 billion to over 9,000 individuals affected by the scandal.