Fujitsu Faces Parliamentary Pressure Over Post Office Scandal Compensation|

The Japanese technology company Fujitsu has come under intense scrutiny from Members of Parliament regarding its contribution to a £1.8 billion compensation scheme for victims of the Post Office Horizon scandal. The company, which designed the flawed computer system that led to hundreds of wrongful prosecutions, has declined to specify how much it will contribute to redressing one of Britain’s most significant miscarriages of justice.

Liam Byrne, chairman of the Commons business and trade select committee, characterised Fujitsu’s stance as parasitic behaviour towards the British state. The company continues to secure lucrative public sector contracts whilst remaining evasive about its financial commitment to victims who were wrongly convicted and imprisoned because of Horizon’s systematic failures.

Paul Patterson, Fujitsu’s chief executive for Europe, defended the company’s position by stating that making a provision in its financial accounts would be inappropriate until Sir Wyn Williams concludes his inquiry into the prosecutions. Patterson noted that Fujitsu generates approximately £3.5 million in daily profits globally and £1 million daily from British public contracts, yet has set aside zero provisions for potential redress costs.

The Post Office scandal represents the largest known miscarriage of justice in British legal history. More than 236 people were imprisoned and hundreds of sub-postmasters faced prosecution over account shortfalls that were actually caused by defects in the Horizon system. An estimated 10,000 additional victims include those who were sacked, suspended, or forced to reimburse funds they never owed.

Fujitsu pledged not to bid for new government contracts until the Williams inquiry concludes; however, this moratorium does not restrict the renewal of existing contracts. The company has secured £500 million in contract extensions since making this commitment, creating widespread public concern about rewarding the company responsible for the scandal.

Blair McDougall, minister for small business and economic transformation, confirmed that the government has made clear its expectation that Fujitsu provide a substantial contribution. He acknowledged public discomfort with Fujitsu’s continued involvement in critical infrastructure projects, including Home Office border control systems and submarine communications.

Beyond the compensation question, legislators have identified additional complications with legislation designed to overturn wrongful convictions. David Enright, a partner at Howe and Co law firm, warned that the government may not have identified all eligible victims, suggesting that data gaps and inadequate documentation could result in overlooking those entitled to redress.