THEY KNEW

Fujitsu staff voiced worry over Horizon software flaw

- LIZZY BUCHAN , ASHLEY COWBURN and SOPHIE HUSKISSON

>>They flagged defence could use it to help subpostmasters

>> Post Office boss: 'Stolen' cash may have paid bonuses

FUJITSU knew about flaws in the Post Office IT system but still gave evidence that helped convict subpostmasters, the firm's boss admitted yesterday.

Europe Director Paul Patterson finally apologised to those whose lives were ruined by the dodgy Horizon computer program and said the Japanese giant pay towards any compensation.

And Fujitsu software developer Gerald Barnes warned chiefs in 2010 the problems with the system were "endemic". But he also claimed the glitches could help defence lawyers in the cases of staff wrongly sent for trial.

It came as Post Office Chief Executive Nick Read admitted some of the money wrongly taken from the subpostmasters may have helped swell bonuses for bosses.

Mr Patterson appeared before the Commons Business and Trade Committee, which is looking into how more than 900 staff were wrongly pursued for theft and fraud due to the Horizon system.