As the sheer scale of the miscarriage of justice that has befallen hundreds of innocent sub-postmasters continues to shock our country, it is clear that such an exceptional situation requires an exceptional solution. Anybody who cares about the interests of justice in our country will be horrified, not just at the nature of these miscarriages, but at the sheer scale of them.
As Sir Wyn William’s inquiry continues its examination of systemic failures that led to these injustices, we should recognise the exceptional circumstances by asking Parliament to pass legislation that deals with the convictions of this group of people, who are not just not guilty but are victims themselves.
On Monday in Parliament, I asked Minister Kevin Hollinrake whether emergency legislation could be used to help overturn the wrongful convictions of sub-postmasters. Such legislation would help to right a clear wrong, it would help to support the victims and their families who have been enduring this horror for too long. Too many sub-postmasters have already died without seeing justice being done, so there is no more time to be lost.
I have spoken to the Lord Chancellor, who is in discussion with the judiciary about these matters, and I will continue to make my feelings known very clearly in Parliament to ensure that there is no barrier to making sure we can legislate in the way I have described. I asked a question of him in the Commons on Tuesday, and am reassured that he is working hard to achieve a just and swift solution.
I also think that The UK Honours Committee must review those involved in this scandal who have received honours and that if the system is to maintain integrity there has to be consequences for those who have failed. When a situation like this is met by the committee - not just rumour mongering or mere smoke, but if there is good hard evidence and material out there - that would mean that a candidate could not be considered certainly now, or maybe in the future. I think that has to be reflected in the way in the way in which we award honours.
I am a great believer in following evidence, and by the time we got to the late part of the last decade, we already knew that this was a growing crisis for hundreds of people. Therefore, it does beg the question of how committees like this bring into consideration ongoing issues that might not have been fully resolved, and for which there is enough evidence and material to weigh against the awarding of an honour at that time.
As part of my ongoing Local Charity of the Week Scheme, I would like to shine a spotlight on the wonderful work of the team at Rein and Shine Riding School at Bury Hill Farm, whom I recently visited to learn more about their Changing Lives Through Horses programme. This brilliant alternative education programme is run as a charity as part of the British Horse Society and aims to reconnect young people to communicate through the magic of horses. The programme helps young people to rekindle the desire to continue within education and training, whilst simultaneously gaining the tools required to support themselves into a career pathway of their choice. You can find out more about the Changing Lives Through Horses programme at Rein and Shine by visiting https://www.reinandshine.co.uk/clth/
