Alan Bates reaches settlement over Post Office scandal

"Post Office campaigner Sir Alan Bates has reached a settlement with the government, more than 20 years after he started campaigning for justice for victims of the Horizon scandal. Sir Alan led a group of 555 subpostmasters who took part in a landmark legal action against the Post Office. The sum paid to Sir Alan has not been made public. Between 1999 and 2015, more than 900 subpostmasters were wrongly prosecuted after the faulty Horizon IT system indicated shortfalls in Post Office branch accounts."

"Marriages broke down, and some families believe the stress led to serious health conditions, addiction and even premature death. A spokesperson for the Department for Business and Trade said: "We pay tribute to Sir Alan Bates for his long record of campaigning on behalf of victims. "We can confirm that Sir Alan's claim has reached the end of the scheme process and been settled." As of September 2025, a total of 1.23bn had been awarded to more than 9,100 sub-postmasters."

"Sir Alan first received an offer of redress in January 2024, which he rejected, describing it as "cruel and derisory". He was made another offer in May 2024 which he said was around a third of what he had requested. In May of this year, he said that he'd received a third offer for less than 50% of his original claim. Sir Alan was part of the Group Litigation Order compensation scheme, under which claimants can either receive 75,000 or seek their own settlement."

Sir Alan Bates has reached a settlement with the government after more than 20 years of campaigning on behalf of Horizon scandal victims. He led 555 subpostmasters in a landmark legal action. Between 1999 and 2015, more than 900 subpostmasters were wrongly prosecuted because the faulty Horizon IT system indicated branch account shortfalls. Many subpostmasters used personal savings to cover apparent shortfalls to avoid prosecution, and families experienced breakups, serious health problems, addiction, and premature deaths. As of September 2025, 1.23bn had been awarded to more than 9,100 sub-postmasters. Sir Alan rejected earlier offers he called "cruel and derisory" and pursued higher compensation under the Group Litigation Order scheme. Public attention increased after portrayal in an ITV drama, and most inquiry recommendations were adopted.

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