A nationwide taskforce made up of 100 officers is carrying out an inquiry that is “unprecedented” in size as they probe more than 1.5 million documents over potential crimes linked to the scandal.
However, in a blow for victims seeking swift justice, trials may not take place until 2027. Final charging decisions will not be made until after the public inquiry publishes its final report into problems with the Horizon IT system, police have warned.
It is understood officers are looking at dozens of persons of interest who were involved in the wrongful prosecutions, including legal professionals. Three have been interviewed under caution so far since 2021, the most recent in September, and more are expected to be questioned next year.
“We’re looking at significant number of individuals across Fujitsu, across the Post Office and the actions of people within the legal profession as well,” detective chief inspector Mick Norman, the senior investigating officer, said.
It is unclear if the persons of interest include senior executives at the Post Office and Fujitsu at this stage, but police said the actions of “prominent individuals” will be assessed as the investigation progresses.
The probe is focused on potential crimes of perjury and perverting the court of justice, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, although police said they will go “where the evidence takes us”.
The issue of corporate liability, an area of law where a higher evidential bar is required, is “always in discussion”, they confirmed.
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Denne historien er fra December 12, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
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