The Fujitsu Post Office scandal, primarily centered around the faulty Horizon IT system, is the most widespread miscarriage of justice in British legal history, involving the wrongful prosecution of over 900 sub-postmasters between 1999 and 2015. As of February 2026, the UK government has paid out over £1.4 billion in compensation to more than 11,300 victims, while a statutory public inquiry led by Sir Wyn Williams continues to examine the accountability of both Post Office and Fujitsu executives. The scandal gained unprecedented public attention following the 2024 drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office, leading to the Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Act 2024, which automatically quashed hundreds of convictions. Fujitsu, the developer of the error-prone software, has formally acknowledged a “moral obligation” to contribute to the compensation redress, though specific financial settlement figures remain a subject of intense parliamentary debate in early 2026.
The Horizon IT System Origins
The Horizon system was originally developed by ICL (International Computers Limited), a British firm later fully acquired by the Japanese tech giant Fujitsu. Launched in 1999, it was one of the largest non-military IT projects in Europe, designed to digitize accounting across more than 11,000 Post Office branches. Almost immediately, the software began reporting phantom financial shortfalls that did not exist.
Despite thousands of sub-postmasters reporting these errors to the Post Office and Fujitsu helplines, the Post Office insisted the system was “robust.” Fujitsu engineers were later found to have known about significant “bugs, errors, and defects” as early as 1999, yet they continued to provide witness statements in court that helped convict innocent workers of theft and fraud.
The Role of Fujitsu in Prosecutions
Fujitsu’s involvement extended far beyond simply providing faulty software; the company actively supported the Post Office’s private prosecution department. Fujitsu employees acted as “expert witnesses” in criminal trials, frequently testifying that the Horizon data was infallible while failing to disclose that they could—and did—access branch terminals remotely to alter figures.
Remote Access: 2025 evidence revealed a secret 2006 agreement between Fujitsu and the Post Office that authorized remote account adjustments.
Witness Credibility: High Court rulings have since labeled some Fujitsu testimony as “misleading” and “unreliable,” forming the basis for quashing hundreds of criminal records.
Data Integrity: The system lacked a proper audit trail, meaning sub-postmasters were held legally responsible for “missing” money they had no way of tracking or proving was a software glitch.
Sir Alan Bates and the Group Litigation
The turning point for the scandal came when Sir Alan Bates, a former sub-postmaster who refused to accept the software’s errors, formed the Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance (JFSA). In 2017, Bates led 555 victims in a Group Litigation Order (GLO) against the Post Office, a move that eventually broke the organization’s wall of silence.
In 2019, Mr. Justice Fraser ruled that the Horizon system was not robust and contained material flaws. This landmark judgment opened the floodgates for appeals and forced the government to establish a statutory inquiry. While the initial settlement of £58 million was largely swallowed by legal fees, it proved that the sub-postmasters had been telling the truth for two decades.
Fujitsu’s Current Standing in the UK
Despite its central role in the scandal, Fujitsu remains a “Strategic Supplier” to the UK government in 2026. While the company pledged in 2024 not to bid for new government work until the inquiry concludes, it continues to manage over 60 active contracts worth billions, including systems for HMRC and the Home Office.
Parliamentary committees in January 2026 labeled the firm a “parasite on the British state” for its refusal to commit to a specific compensation figure until the final inquiry report is published. Fujitsu has pumped over £280 million into its UK arm to maintain operations while it prepares for the potential multi-billion-pound liability expected after the Wyn Williams inquiry concludes later this year.
Practical Information for Sub-Postmasters
If you were a sub-postmaster or employee impacted by the Horizon or Capture systems, here is the essential logistical information for 2026:
Application Deadlines: The Horizon Shortfall Scheme closed to new applicants on January 31, 2026. However, legal appeals for quashed convictions remain open.
Legal Advice: The government provides funded legal advice for those navigating the compensation process to ensure settlements are not “under-paid.”
Capture Victims: If you used the “Capture” software (1992–2000), you can still apply for the new redress scheme administered by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT).
Emotional Support: Victims can access specialized psychological support services funded as part of the restorative justice program.
FAQs
How many sub-postmasters were prosecuted?
Approximately 700 people were prosecuted by the Post Office between 1999 and 2015, with another 283 cases brought by other bodies like the Crown Prosecution Service, totaling nearly 1,000 individuals.
Is the Horizon system still being used?
As of February 2026, the Post Office is in the final stages of replacing Horizon with a modern, “device-agnostic” cloud system. The interim CTO plans to have all traces of Fujitsu’s Horizon removed by 2030.
How much has Fujitsu paid in compensation?
As of early 2026, Fujitsu has not yet paid a single penny toward the victims’ compensation fund. The company has stated it will wait for the public inquiry’s final report before making a financial contribution.
What was the “Capture” software?
Capture was the PC-based predecessor to Horizon used in the 1990s. It was also found to contain bugs that caused financial shortfalls, leading to a new compensation scheme launched in 2025.
Can I still appeal my conviction in 2026?
Yes. While the 2024 Act automatically quashed many convictions, some cases fall outside its specific scope (such as those involving the Royal Mail). You should seek legal advice to see if your case is eligible for an appeal.
Why did the scandal last so long?
The scandal persisted for over 20 years because the Post Office used its unique power to privately prosecute its own staff, while both the Post Office and Fujitsu actively misled the courts and Parliament about the system’s reliability.
How many people died before getting justice?
Tragically, at least 60 sub-postmasters died before their convictions were quashed or compensation was paid. The scandal has been linked to at least 13 suicides.
Who is Sir Wyn Williams?
Sir Wyn Williams is a retired High Court judge who is chairing the statutory public inquiry into the Horizon scandal, which is tasked with establishing the full timeline of failings.
What is the fixed sum offer for GLO members?
Members of the Group Litigation Order (the original 555) were offered an optional fixed sum of £75,000 in 2024 to settle their claims quickly, though many are pursuing much larger “full assessment” payments.
Did Fujitsu have “backdoor” access to accounts?
Yes. The public inquiry confirmed that Fujitsu staff at their Bracknell headquarters could remotely access branch accounts and change balances without the sub-postmaster’s knowledge or consent.
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