End of year newsletter: A review of the Post Office Inquiry in 2024
Updates from Secretary to the Inquiry, Leila Pilgrim
As we reach the end of 2024, I would like to extend my thanks for your continued interest in the work of the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry.
Over the past year, 14,000 members of the public have attended the Inquiry’s public gallery and over 57,000 new people have subscribed to our YouTube channel to watch the Inquiry’s hearings online.
The Inquiry team has worked tirelessly to ensure the smooth running of these hearings and to gather, analyse, and disclose vital evidence.
Now, as we look back at 2024, we would like to reflect on some of the Inquiry’s key milestones, explore what’s next for the Inquiry, and share a message from our Chair, Sir Wyn Williams.
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The Inquiry in 2024: Statistics
This year the Inquiry has continued to work diligently to gather a clear account of who knew what and when about the Horizon scandal and the subsequent actions taken against sub-postmasters.
In 2024 alone, the Inquiry:
- Heard evidence from 114 witnesses. These included sub-postmasters, senior executives at the Post Office and Fujitsu, as well as government ministers.
- Published 303 witness statements.
- Held 96 days of hearings (not including closing statements). This is equal to around 424 hours of evidence.
- Published 23 news stories.
View our infographic to see statistics about the entire Inquiry, from the Human Impact hearings in
2022 to Closing Statements in 2024.
In Your Own Words
We know that, in different ways, people are still living with the devastating consequences of the Horizon scandal. Speaking directly to those of you who have been affected by the Horizon Scandal, we acknowledge that in truth, only you know what that means for you.
Some of you have generously shared your stories with us through our listening project called In Your Own Words.
Launched in March, In Your Own Words is a space where people affected by the Post Office scandal can anonymously share their experiences.
I appreciate that these topics are not easy to think or talk about and so I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the 310 people who have shared their stories so far.
Every story shared is vital to understanding the ripple effects of the scandal’s impact.
Using these first-hand accounts, In Your Own Words also published its first paper, which highlights how people’s relationships and family life were particularly impacted by the scandal.
Over 65% of In Your Own Words participants described how the scandal affected personal relationships or family dynamics in some way, with many respondents reporting the breakdown of relationships, estrangement from family members, and acute loneliness.
The Legacy Project
Elsewhere, the Inquiry also continued to develop the Legacy Project, which was launched in October 2023.
It aims to mark the scandal in history and begin a conversation that we hope will continue after the Inquiry has concluded its work.
This conversation seeks to explore how to mark the devastating impacts of the scandal and the potential for learning and change at one point in time. In the years to come, there may well be useful work across sectors which applies the learning from the Inquiry’s work.
We believe it is right that the Legacy Project is shaped by those who have been directly affected by the scandal.
With that in mind, we are working together with 13 sub-postmasters and other individuals affected by the scandal on the Legacy Project, as well as our creative experts, Art Lewry and Morag Wood. Our work will also be informed by contributions to In Your Own Words.
In 2024, we held four focus groups to help shape the Legacy Project, and they have been truly insightful.
During these sessions, the focus group members had conversations about what a Legacy Project means to them, and what they think it should look like. These sessions were collaborative, and I thank all the group members for their candour and positive approach.
We look forward to sharing more updates with you in due course.
What’s next for the Inquiry?
The Inquiry’s public hearings have now concluded, but it is important to note that there is still important work that is happening behind the scenes.
Moving forward, the Inquiry will continue analysing evidence, drafting the final report and will then begin a process known as Maxwellisation.
This is where, under Rule 13 of the Inquiry Rules 2006, the Inquiry needs to give anyone who is criticised in the report a reasonable opportunity to respond.
Then we will focus on publishing the report and all the evidence that has been shown in hearings and mentioned in witness statements.
We will also ensure that, as the Inquiry concludes, there is a comprehensive and well-ordered record of the Inquiry which will be transferred to The National Archives.
A message from the Inquiry’s Chair, Sir Wyn Williams
"I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who has participated in and engaged with the Inquiry over the past year.
Throughout 2024, I heard hundreds of hours of evidence and reviewed innumerable documents about events spanning across 20 years.
No one will be surprised when I say that the evidence I have read and heard throughout the Inquiry has made a deep impression upon me and emphasised the scale of the hardship and suffering endured by those affected by the scandal.
This vital evidence will inform my final report, which will provide a clear account of who knew what and when about the events surrounding the scandal and the subsequent actions taken against sub-postmasters.
Earlier this week, I heard Closing Statements from Core Participants’ legal representatives, which concluded the Inquiry’s oral hearings. But I would like to stress that the Inquiry’s work does not end here.
Looking ahead, I will now analyse this evidence, draft my final report, and will have to give anyone who is subject to criticism a reasonable opportunity to respond, as is their legal right.
This process is known as Maxwellisation and is a legal requirement under the Inquiry Rules 2006.
I urge anyone who is contacted to co-operate and supply their response promptly, so that I am able to share my final report as soon as practicable.
People have waited long enough to hear the truth about events that had such adverse consequences on their lives. So, I am determined to provide answers to those directly affected as swiftly as possible."
- Sir Wyn Williams, Chair of the Inquiry.
