Horizon scandal: ‘I took blame for Post Office shortfall to protect my Mum’

Mr Naga’s case has also been referred to the court of appeal.

The Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission, which looks into potential miscarriages of justice, found that “Horizon evidence was essential to the proof of the accounting shortfall that led to the prosecution”.

It also concluded that Mr Naga may “have pled guilty in circumstances that were clearly prejudicial to him”.

Mr Naga said he had nothing to hide.

Prosecutors in Scotland have not decided whether they will oppose his appeal.

Mr Naga’s mother is fully supporting her son’s bid to clear his name.

But he said the saga has left her stressed and tired.

Mr Naga added: “They’ve taken 15 years of her life. My mum was always a woman who was ambitious and wanted to build something up.

“To some people this is a TV programme or a news story but to other people it’s their life.”

A Post Office spokesperson said: “We apologise unreservedly for the hurt and suffering that was caused to victims of the Horizon IT Scandal and their loved ones.

“We know an apology from Post Office is not enough and so our focus remains on supporting the Public Inquiry to establish the truth, working with government to overturn wrongful convictions, and paying redress as quickly as possible.”