Monday
Despite a hard-hitting interim report and a game-changing (for public awareness) ITV drama, most subpostmasters are still waiting for their compensation. Alan Bates recently wrote to Keir Starmer to ask what was going on. Twice. His first letter went unanswered. Despite Rachel Reeves having allocated £1.8bn for compensation in the budget, progress has been glacially slow.
One of the last to give evidence this week was Kemi Badenoch, who as business secretary from early 2023 to July this year had overall responsibility for the Post Ofiice. Most witnesses have begun by saying how sorry they are for the scandal, even if they have been later at pains to point out it was nothing to do with them. There was no such statement from Badenoch. She is not one of Westminster's natural empaths.
Rather, she wanted to make clear she had done all she could to expedite things by writing to Jeremy Hunt suggesting he offer Elook to all claimants. Despite the then chancellor turning her down on the grounds that it might not offer a fair deal to taxpayers, Badenoch blamed the holdups on the civil service. Nor could she explain why she made no subsequent efforts to free up compensation over the next 12 months. The money stayed firmly out of the subpostmasters' grasp.
Tuesday
It was one of the worst-kept secrets in television, but Gary Lineker has announced he is standing down as the presenter of Match of the Day. And why not? It isn't as if he needs the money - his Goalhanger podcasts make a fortune and he's sure to get plenty of freelance telly and advertising work. After more than 25 years in the job, he must be looking forward to getting his Saturday nights back during the football season.
This story is from the November 16, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the November 16, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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