North Norfolk MP welcomes quashing of former Post Office workers' convictions
They had been wrongfully sentenced for fraud and theft
North Norfolk's MP is delighted the wrongful convictions of 39 former Post Office workers have been quashed by the Court of Appeal.
Duncan Baker, used to be the legal sub-postmaster for the Budgens stores in Holt and Aylsham before persuing a career in Parliament and so has been watching the case with a keen interest.
Their criminal sentences for fraud and theft have been overturned, after it was found the missing money was due to a computer glitch - Boris Johnson has said they'll be "properly looked after".
Mr Baker has called the result a 'huge step forward', adding their convictions had been a 'total miscarriage of justice'.
He said:
"It has been a privilege to speak in Parliament on behalf of my constituents who were affected by this and for the many other men and women who’s lives were turned upside down by this appalling situation.
"Post Office staff are incredible and have been amazing in the pandemic. I’ve said as much in Parliament.
"It is shameful what some have been through. Branded criminals, who lost everything because the tills didn’t balance. Even though they raised the flag, no one listened - all because of a software error. At least now, they can start to rebuild their lives.
"But there must be proper compensation for those where it is insufficient and we must further support those who suffered wrongful imprisonment. And I look forward to the Post Office Horizon IT inquiry, where more answers need to come forward.
"But, at least now, convictions have been overturned and names cleared."