Former sub postmaster 'still coming to terms' with new legislation as Post Office convictions quashed
The scandal saw hundreds of sub postmasters prosecuted after faulty computer software found money was missing from some branches.
We've been hearing reaction as postmasters from Northern Ireland who were wrongly convicted in the Post Office scandal - will have their names cleared under new legislation.
The scandal saw hundreds of sub postmasters prosecuted after faulty computer software found money was missing from some branches.
A former sub postmaster has spoken of his "joy" after Parliament backed legislation to exonerate those caught up in the Horizon scandal, and his "disgust" at those who did not "stand up and do the right thing" at the time.
Lee Williamson, from Castlederg, Northern Ireland, said the last five months have been "surreal" and that the ITV programme Mr Bates vs The Post Office was "the best gift we could have received".
The 49-year-old, who ran the Post Office in Portstewart, pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation in 2014 and was sentenced to 18 months in prison suspended for three years.
He has been going through the Court of Appeal process since 2022.
"It's been a real roller coaster," Mr Williamson said. "We were looking forward to the July date then obviously news of the Prime Minister calling the General Election, it introduced a bit of chaos into proceedings."
He said he had a "lot of emotion" after the news on Thursday evening, adding: "It's been a difficult 12 years, I'm very grateful that it's through.”
"I'm still coming to terms with it.”
Lee Williamson spoke to CoolFM/Downtown exclusively: “We were all very anxious and worried the legislation wouldn’t have passed through in time before parliament was dissolved… and then 24 hours later, it’s in the wash up process! It’s all worth it now I suppose. I’m 49, turning 50 this year, so hopefully when I turn 50 it’s a new chapter and I go forward from there.”
He went on to say: “There is still a small part that feels I’ve been stigmatised by the whole process, because we were up against one of the most iconic and loved brands in the UK. You, as a small individual giving your truthful story against a well-respected established brand was very difficult.”
When asked if he feels he can finally close this chapter of his life, he said: “Once the paper work is in place and the matter of redress to the whole thing is sorted... because I was bankrupt and spent 12 years trying build financial stability for my family, so I think once those two issues are sorted out I will be capable of putting it to the side and moving on.”
“Any subpostermaster is very sceptical of the whole process until they see it in black and white. I think we are 99.9% there, just show me it in black and white, and then I can take a good sigh (of relief) and believe that that is it all done.”
You can hear more about this story in our hourly bulletins at the top of the hour: https://planetradio.co.uk/cool-fm/