Scottish Horizon victims still waiting for exoneration letters

In July, BBC Scotland News asked the Scottish government how many letters had been issued but we were not given a figure.

A subsequent Freedom of Information request received on 13 August confirmed that as of 15 July no individuals had been formally identified as falling under the scope of the act, and no letters issued.

BBC Scotland News asked the Scottish government if any letters had been issued since 15 July. We received a statement.

A Scottish government spokeswoman said: “Wrongly convicted sub-postmasters in Scotland were automatically exonerated when the Post Office (Horizon System) Offences (Scotland) Act came into force on 14 June.

“We have been working at pace with partners to identify those exonerated by the legislation, and now the UK government redress scheme is open, we will be writing to them shortly to notify them and set out how to access the scheme.

“Those who do not receive a letter, and believe that they are eligible, can register for the scheme at www.gov.uk/horizon-convictions-redress-scheme, external.”

The previous UK government said most of its letters to victims in England and Wales were due to be sent by the end of July.

That did not happen, and the current UK government says the first letters have been issued and it anticipates that most relevant convictions will have been identified, with letters sent over the summer.

A UK government Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “The Horizon scandal was an unprecedented miscarriage of justice and we are working to inform all affected postmasters that their convictions have been quashed as soon as possible.”