The Post Office has been under scrutiny for years due to the Horizon IT scandal, a crisis that wrongfully accused hundreds of postmasters of fraud. This issue has led to one of the biggest miscarriages of justice in British history. But is the Post Office finally learning from its mistakes? This week, the inquiry investigating the scandal enters a new phase, where current staff and post office operators will share their thoughts on the present-day culture of the Post Office and whether enough has been done to right the wrongs of the past.

A Long Road of Investigations

The inquiry, which started in 2022, has been ongoing for over two years. It has heard stories from more than 500 witnesses and collected an enormous amount of evidence. Most of what has been uncovered highlights years of bad management, cover-ups, and a strained relationship with the government. This inquiry has not only been about what went wrong with the IT system but also about how the Post Office handled the accusations against its workers and the consequences these workers faced.

As the inquiry moves into its final phase, the focus is shifting to the present-day state of the Post Office. Has the organization changed? Are they doing enough to compensate those affected? These are just some of the questions that will be answered over the next couple of months.

Survey Results Could Be Game-Changing

A key part of this final phase is the presentation of the results from two important surveys. These surveys were sent to 16,000 post office operators across the UK, asking them to share their experiences. This includes not only current workers but also those who are part of compensation schemes. Many operators have been outspoken about the difficulties they've faced in getting fair compensation, making this survey a crucial piece of evidence in the inquiry.

The findings from these surveys are expected to provide a clear picture of the current environment at the Post Office. For the company’s management, this could be a nail-biting moment. The outgoing chief executive, Nick Read, has even temporarily stepped back from his role to prepare for his upcoming testimony in the inquiry. Read is scheduled to answer questions for three days in early October.

Leadership on the Hot Seat

Nick Read took over as the CEO after a major court victory in 2019, where 555 postmasters won a lawsuit against the Post Office. He was tasked with cleaning up the mess left behind by his predecessor, Paula Vennells. Read promised to “right the wrongs of the past,” but his leadership hasn’t been without its challenges.

Read has faced his own reputational issues, with accusations of bullying and an “obsession” with increasing his pay. However, after an investigation, he was cleared of any misconduct. Despite this, his role in overseeing the Post Office’s recovery from the scandal will come under intense scrutiny in the inquiry.

What About the Board?

The inquiry will also examine whether the Post Office board has changed its ways. For years, board members failed to investigate or act on the problems surrounding the Horizon IT system. As a result, more than 700 postmasters were wrongfully prosecuted between 1999 and 2015. This led to life-changing consequences for many innocent people.

In an attempt to improve governance, the Post Office made a significant move in 2021 by appointing two postmasters, Saf Ismail and Elliot Jacobs, as non-executive directors. Their involvement aimed to give operators a voice at the highest levels of the company. Both Ismail and Jacobs will testify this week, shedding light on whether the board has become more accountable.

Government Relations Under the Microscope

Another key area of focus will be the relationship between the Post Office and the government. The inquiry will hear from Henry Staunton, the former chair of the Post Office, who was dismissed by the government earlier this year. Staunton has been critical of the government, accusing them of delaying compensation for postmasters until after the next election.

The former business secretary, Kemi Badenoch, will also appear in the inquiry. She is expected to answer tough questions about her role in the Post Office’s handling of the scandal. Another important witness will be Kevin Hollinrake, a former Post Office minister, who played a pivotal role in pushing through legislation that helped more than 900 postmasters have their convictions overturned.

The Future of the Post Office

As the inquiry draws to a close, attention is also turning to the future of the Post Office itself. The company is still owned by the government, and with 11,500 branches across the UK, it provides essential services, especially in rural areas. However, the organization is facing financial difficulties. In the year ending in March 2023, the Post Office reported a loss of £76 million, although this was an improvement from the previous year’s loss of £130 million.

Nigel Railton, the interim chair of the Post Office, is leading a strategic review to assess the company’s long-term sustainability. There has even been talk of transferring ownership from the government to the staff through a process called mutualisation. Railton will also give evidence in the inquiry in early October.

A Waiting Game

Sir Wyn Williams, the former high court judge who is leading the inquiry, has stated that his final report will be published as soon as possible after all evidence has been gathered. Many hope the report will be released by the end of 2024. This report will be crucial in determining what went wrong, who is to blame, and how the Post Office can prevent such a scandal from happening again.

In the meantime, all eyes are on the final two months of the inquiry, with more than 30 witnesses still set to testify. Will the truth finally lead to meaningful change? Or will the Post Office continue to be haunted by its past mistakes?