Thu, 26 Jun 2025

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 Post Office criminal trials unlikely before 2028, says police chief

The police will not hand files to prosecutors until after the final report from the public inquiry into the scandal is published.
Police investigation into Post Office Horizon IT scandal may take until 2028 to reach trials. Met Cdr Stephen Clayman says teams are working meticulously and making progress, but need more time before handing files to prosecutors. Investigation has identified 7 suspects and 45-50 potential suspects, but will wait for public inquiry's final report expected later this year. Former sub-postmaster Tim Brentnall calls for accountability, saying victims are "desperate" but also want the police to do it properly. Over 900 people were prosecuted for false shortfalls created by the Horizon IT system between 1999 and 2020. Operation Olympos began in 2020 and has interviewed 4 suspects so far. Cdr Clayman says police are starting with those at the "front line" but will eventually look into wider management. First trials may not start until 2028, but police are confident that there will be criminal proceedings.
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