Further investigations into Horizon impact to take place

The Insolvency Service is looking to hear from postmasters who believe they may have been made bankrupt due to the Horizon IT system.

This follows the quashing of convictions of former postmasters who were prosecuted using evidence from Post Office’s Horizon IT system by the Court of Appeal and Crown Court. The Post Office has contacted postmasters it has previously prosecuted to assist them in potentially appealing their convictions, should they wish.

However, concerns have been raised that some former postmasters may have been made bankrupt due to the Horizon system.

In a statement, the Insolvency Service said: “We are also aware that in some instances, postmasters were made bankrupt by the Post Office Limited, which have may have been as a result of the financial discrepancies reported, incorrectly, by the Horizon IT system. Furthermore, due to the financial impact of the situation, some postmasters may have petitioned for their own bankruptcy or made a bankruptcy application to Office of the Adjudicator.

“The Official Receiver, acting as the Trustee/Trustee ex-officio in bankruptcy, is now undertaking enquiries to identify these cases, in order to investigate whether these bankruptcy orders should be reviewed.”

It advises that if you have been subject to a bankruptcy/adjudicator or sequestration order since 2000, resided in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, and believe you were impacted by the Horizon discrepancies, please contact the Insolvency Service via Horizoncases@insolvency.gov.uk. If you were subject to a bankruptcy / sequestration order in Scotland or Northern Ireland, the Insolvency Service will forward your details to the appropriate bodies in Scotland and Northern Ireland.