EVERY DOG HAS ITS DAY

 Postmasters’ delight at shift in Holyrood policy  » Move to reverse Horizon scandal convictions  » Compo and no need to go to court mooted

- SALLY HIND

A MOVE to consider automatic pardons for Scots victims of the Horizon scandal was celebrated last night by wrongly convicted postmasters.

Robert Thomson, pictured with Labrador Maisie, is one of those battling to clear their names. He said it was long overdue but the measure was vital to spare families further stress.

There has been a huge outcry over the conviction of 700 postmasters in the UK due to a faulty IT system after the hit TV series Mr Bates vs The Post Office.

Yesterday, in a major shift, Scottish Justice Minister Angela Constance announced moves had begun to automatically pardon those convicted.

She said: "We are looking at a pardon scheme. Anyone wrongly convicted as a result of the Horizon scandal should have their conviction reversed and be entitled to compensation.

Constance also vowed to work with the UK Government to make sure Scots victims have access to its compensation scheme. Robert, whose fight to clear his name on appeal is set to start in weeks, spoke of his delight that a mass pardon was finally under consideration.

Robert was convicted in 2006 and has waited seven years for his case to come to appeal but now hopes he can now be spared the process.

The Post Office launched criminal proceedings against Robert, from Alva, Clackmannanshire, after auditors identified an alleged shortfall of £5700.