Postmaster awaiting payout 20 years after IT ordeal started

A former sub-postmaster caught up in the Horizon IT scandal described his frustration as he still waits for compensation 20 years after his ordeal began.

Cled Jones, 73, paid out more than £43,000 of his own money while running the post office in Bethel, near Caernarfon, Gwynedd, after its computer system falsely reported missing funds over a 14-year period.

He first noticed discrepancies in 2006 and made payments to avoid jail, but has yet to receive a complete settlement.

The Post Office said it was processing applications "as quickly as possible" and 87% of those eligible had received a compensation offer, with £882m paid out.

"This has been going on for so long," said Jones.

"The Post Office should have sorted it out much earlier.

"They expect us to forget what we've been through, but we won't do that."

His wife, Susan, said her recent 70th birthday celebrations had been clouded by stress over her husband's fight for compensation.

"I just feel like we don't count any more," she said.

"They want us to give up and just walk away."

Her husband said he has been faced with constant scrutiny over his claim.

"They ask the same things in different ways," he said.

"It feels like they're trying to trip you up but you can't trip up if you're telling the truth."

Thousands of others are still awaiting payouts, according to a committee of MPs, and some claimants have died before receiving their compensation.

Jones has received a financial offer, but his lawyer said the amount fell far short of the losses suffered over the years.

"No amount of money can replace the years we lost," said Jones.

The Post Office said it was "processing applications as quickly as possible to bring resolution to those who have applied".

"We will review the committee's recommendations and continue to work closely with the Department for Business and Trade," a spokesperson added.