NI postmasters to have names cleared under new law

Twenty-six postmasters from Northern Ireland who were wrongly convicted in the Post Office scandal are set to have their names cleared under new legislation.

Hundreds of sub-postmasters across the UK were prosecuted after faulty computer software calculated that money was missing from post office branches.

Some people went to prison while many were financially ruined.

The scandal has been called the biggest miscarriage of justice in UK history.

Affected postmasters across the UK will have the option of accepting a fixed sum offer of £600,000 after their conviction is quashed.

On Monday, Kevin Hollinrake, the UK minister for enterprise, markets and small business, said it has "become apparent" that the Northern Ireland Executive "does not have the ability to rapidly address the 26 convictions known to be within its purview".

"It has become clear that postmasters in Northern Ireland could have their convictions quashed significantly later than those who were convicted in England and Wales, which would be unacceptable," Mr Hollinrake added.

NI Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris said he was pleased the the legislation will now be amended to include Northern Ireland and it "is the best way to deliver justice for the victims as quickly as possible".

Previously the Northern Ireland first and deputy first ministers and justice minister called for the law to reverse the convictions of sub-postmasters to also apply in Northern Ireland.

In a statement, First Minister Michelle O'Neill said the decision to amend the bill is "the fastest and fairest solution for all".

"Those wrongly convicted have already endured years of emotional and financial stress through no fault of their own. They now deserve a swift resolution with their convictions overturned in the quickest and most seamless manner," the Sinn Féin MLA added.

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly added: "I sincerely hope those affected take some comfort from knowing there will be no additional delays in having their convictions overturned."

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told the House of Commons in January that those previously convicted in England and Wales would be cleared of wrongdoing and compensated under a new law.

The Scottish government also announced similar plans for those convicted in Scotland, which has a separate legal system.

Power-sharing was restored at Stormont in early February.

In February, Justice Minister Naomi Long said that the UK government including Northern Ireland in its legislation would be "the fastest legislative solution and one that will see those affected in Northern Ireland receiving equitable treatment with their counterparts in the rest of the UK".

Between 1999 and 2015, the Post Office prosecuted 700 sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses based on data from faulty Horizon software.

Some 283 further cases were brought by other bodies including the Crown Prosecution Service.