Key findings from an inquiry into the Post Office Horizon scandal were made public for the first time on Tuesday July 8.
More than 900 subpostmasters were wrongfully prosecuted between 1999 and 2015 in what has been dubbed the worst miscarriage of justice in British legal history.
Many were wrongly convicted of crimes such as theft and false accounting after faulty Horizon software made it look as though money was missing from accounts.
Subpostmasters’ lives were destroyed, with some bankrupted by legal action and sent to prison.
The inquiry report found that the damage done was incomprehensible, with many attempting suicide after being accused of theft and deception. It also made a number of recommendations about how to move forward.
Financial redress has frequently been flagged as an issue by subpostmasters – with many still awaiting full compensation, another matter spoken about in length in the report.
Sir Wyn Williams, chair of the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry, said at the release of the report: "Throughout the whole length of the inquiry, I have received written evidence and other sources of information about the nature and scale of the human impact.
"The picture which has emerged is profoundly disturbing."
The first volume of the Horizon IT inquiry’s final report published on Tuesday covers the devastating impact on the lives of the scandal’s victims and the compensation process. It begs the question, what happens next?
What will happen next with the Post Office scandal?
Criminal trials are expected, but as yet, it is not definite that any individuals will face trial over the scandal.
Investigations are ongoing but “may not start until 2028”, a police officer leading the investigation has said.
Senior Met officer Stephen Clayton told the BBC: "The teams need to be really meticulous and [pay] attention to detail, but actually we are making some real progress.”
He added that the investigation has “identified seven suspects, and has 45 to 50 potential suspects in view”, but work is ongoing into the case.
The police have also said they will not hand files to prosecutors until after the final report from the public inquiry into the scandal, which is expected in 2026, is published.
The criminal investigation into the scandal, known as Operation Olympos, began in 2020. Two people were originally interviewed in 2021 but efforts ramped up after the public phase of the inquiry concluded in December 2024. Then, another two people were interviewed under caution, no names were given but it was two men in their 60s.
Cdr Clayman said the police started with "those at the front line – the Post Office investigators, solicitors, those who were involved in the immediate decision-making”.
“We are beginning to scope looking at wider management. That will happen, and is happening, it will just take time to get there,” he added.
Following the conclusion of the complete report - expected either later this year or early in 2026 - police will then go through the findings, and hand files regarding who they believe should be charged to the CPS.
He added: “This isn't uncommon. Other large investigations linked to a public inquiry have exactly the same thing. And I really do understand the frustration for those who are at the centre of this, who are the victims."
