To draw your attention to Mr Bates vs The Post Office

Wouldn't it be wonderful and a great sign of basic democracy if, as part of the conditions of receiving an honour, you had to agree to defend your right to keep it - recorded and televised - if, say, 100,000 members of the British population (on whose behalf these honours are theoretically granted) express clearly reasoned doubts as to your worthiness to continue to hold it?

I know that it wouldn't really be of much help to the scapegoated PO workers, but it would be very satisfying to see some of these people required to attend court themselves and have their reputation, integrity and behaviour scrutinised. There could be a jury of 12 ordinary people, as normal (15 if in Scotland).

As a civilised alternative, I would allow them to 'settle out of court' by publicly relinquishing all rights to their honour in advance - this fact too being published prominently across all the media, so that the people could draw their own personal conclusions.

Blair would be right at the top of my list.

It is important to keep this horrendous scandal in the public eye. It is beyond comprehension what they did to those innocent hard working people. I have listened to the podcast and signed the petition.

Computers are amazing and indispensable as slaves to our modern lives; but we let them become our unassailable masters at our great peril.

I've just watched the first 3 or 4 episodes back to back, I've lost track as I just let the episodes roll into the next. I started the next one and my watch beeped to tell me it's midnight! It's really gripping and what a disappointment and scandal that so many people could lie for so long. I'd watch it till the end now but DH keeps grumbling next to me in bed saying it's too intense as he's trying to go to sleep 🙄a must watch.

I might just be being ridiculous, but I wasn't convinced that the jokey Direct Line ad-buffer/sponsor segments on ITV were in particularly good taste, considering the subject matter.

Yes, it's a drama, but squarely based on very recent (actually, still ongoing) factual events, which have wrecked countless lives.

I don't think it's the same at all with other 'standard' adverts, as they stand alone separately in the commercial breaks; but when you're deliberately making a big thing about associating them with the programme matter...

All of the minions knew there was a problem with the horizon system from its roll out in in1999/2000. MIL worked for the post office and retired in 2005 and was always saying her and her colleagues were reporting oddities and glitches all the time to middle management but nobody listened to them.

Just saw it, probably watch the rest on ITV X tomorrow. absolutely appalling. I won't be surprised that some people will expose how shoddily PayPoint treat retailers. Though not as bad as Horizon and the post office.

It was harrowing but the story needs told.

I’ve signed the petition. Unfortunately I don’t have much confidence in anything being done. She was a non-exec on the Cabinet Office Board. It is the Cabinet Office who decide whether someone should forfeit honours : so slim to no chance they will do anything against one of their own.

Also astounded that she was paid £5M at the Post Office and yet offered so little compensation to people whose whole lives were ruined.

That she was also an Anglican priest is unbelievable….

To be honest, with some exceptions, it very much seems to me that the honours system is designed to do the exact opposite of what we all assume.

Nobody could be that incompetent by accident to specifically choose quite a large number of people who have left a huge trail of disaster and ruined innocent lives in their wake.

Not that it would happen in a million years, but were I theoretically told I was to be admitted to the honours 'club', I would take immense offence at them wanting to group me in with many of those people.

Had to stop watching it half way through for a 5 minute break. It’s so emotional thinking about the livelihoods, dreams, retirements, childhoods, pensions stolen USING PUBLIC MONEY.

if anyone’s listened to the podcast they know it will get worse. Once the scandal becomes semi public the PO senior figures double down. The absolute cunts.

everyone involved in continuing to fight for the truth is a bloody hero.

Thank you!

There is a petition to strip Paula Vennells of her CBE. Strip Paula Vennells of her CBE | 38 Degrees

That was the fundamental flaw, that the post office had (has!) the power to bring all those postmasters to court. The whole thing is just beyond comprehension - soooo angersome!

Such a important programme. And a massive reminder to never accept the word of authority when it is questioned. Look at the Met, the government, the royal family and now the post office. So much corruption carried out under the unwaivering belief in the establishment.

Everyone should watch it.

Is anyone aware of a petition or such like to have those in charge, at the time, in the post office held accountable? Paula Vennells was given a CBE ffs!!! 😳🤬

I think it's appalling that after all this time only 93 cases have been settled with the victims compensation being less than £20k yet the woman in charge of the po was awarded an OBE after the investigation and still has it....people should be fighting for the other 700 or more victims and their families.

Thank god they found each other & were able to fight it. My first emotion when watching it was also anger. It’s hard to comprehend that the post office has that sort of power.

I remember when I first heard about this, which was only a couple of years ago. My husband told me about it and I didn’t believe him at all, as I naively thought that it just wasn’t possible for something like this to happen.

My neighbour was sacked for stealing from the village post office. We were a close knit Cul de sac but she cut herself off and put her house up for sale. She left without saying goodbye. We assumed at the time there was some level of embarrassment/shame although no one could actually believe she did it. But a few years after it was in the news. She was probably innocent.

Your response to this is to try and destroy the businesses of those who were affected?

Watching ALL the episodes now.
Absolutely disgusting beyond belief! This has ruined so many lives. And it is still ongoing...!
SOMEONE NEEDS TO SET UP A FACEBOOK GROUP TO BOYCOTT THE POST OFFICE...!

There's so much about this scandal that is beyond belief. I feel so sorry for the victims and I still can't believe the Post Office can investigate their own crimes.
The podcast posted upthread is brilliant. I enjoyed the first episode of Mr Bates tonight even though it is a hard watch.
😯at Sparklesock's Popbitch snippet.

Is it suitable for 12 years old to watch