Im not very good at TL:DR, but yes, that's what is happening.
The longer version:
Elliot Jacobs was giving his witness evidence today.
Elliot is a SPMR, but he is also a non executive director on POL Board.
Out of the blue Elliot gets a letter from John Bartlett, who is the new Head of the PO investigation team.
(As a side note, the team has now been renamed to the Assurance and Comolex Investigations team)
It will shock and surprise you that John Bartlett is a former Police Officer.
I know, I know exactly what you're thinking "wow, POL are still hiring ex police officers into the investigation team, that has worked so well for them in the past".
The letter was shocking:
It says there was 2 issues
...1. A conflict of interest. I still dont fully understand this, but apparently they were not happy Elliot is a SPMR and on PO board.
...2 Shortfalls in his accounts.
1st, they asked Elliot to come in for a "meeting". But they soon gave up that pretence and reverted back to calling it an "interview".
2nd, they said it was a "voluntary" interview. But it's clear from the tone of the letter that there was nothing voluntary about this.
3rd, they said they will have a tape recorder to record the interview. They claimed it makes it easier to write up the minutes of the interview.
In my opinion, this is utter bullshit. The reason they are using a tape recorder is to scare the living shit out of SPMRs, as it makes the interview look like a formal Police interview.
4th, they said Elliot could bring a friend, trade union or lawyer. But under no circumstances can the other person speak during the interview.
Again, utter bullshit. They are not interviewing under caution, so whoever Elliot brings can speak to thier hearts content.
Again, they are using this tactic to try and scare the SPMR, make sure they have no support and give the false impression this is a "police" interview.
Anyway, Elliot is on it. He has read everything: the Bates vs POL court docs, the Hamilton vs POL court docs, watched the Inquiry, read Nick Wallis book, the lot.
He is still bloody terrified, but he is ready.
Elliot asks for all the Horizon data.
Of course, as is par for the course, John Bartlett is not happy to share it.
But worse still, Elliot finds out John Bartlett doesn't even have it.
Elliott asks the most obvious question ^"How do you know my Post Office branches have a Shortfall if you haven't even looked at the Horizon data?"
Elliot goes to the interview. He said it was just like a police interview. In fact John Bartlett and the other investigation kept calling the documents "evidence" and it was all numbered like you would see the police do.
In the end Elliott was referred to the Chesterfield office in which him and a POL accountant went through all the accounts.
Low and behold, there was no problems.
No conflict of interest
No shortfalls.
Here endeth my very long TL:DR 🤣