Kemi Badenoch Criticizes Civil Service Over Horizon Compensation

The ongoing inquiry into the Post Office Horizon IT scandal has seen key testimonies from figures like Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who criticized government bureaucracy for delaying compensation for over 900 wrongfully prosecuted sub-postmasters. Badenoch emphasized that she and former postal affairs minister Kevin Hollinrake aimed to expedite financial redress but faced continuous resistance from civil servants citing procedural hurdles. She expressed frustration over the excessive checks and balances that hindered prompt action, arguing that it was better to prioritize timely compensation over bureaucratic caution. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds acknowledged the Post Office's corporate culture as a contributing factor to the scandal and took responsibility for ensuring fair compensation. He also noted that the Post Office's viability as a public institution requires significant business model changes. The inquiry sheds light on the profound impact of the faulty Horizon system that led to severe consequences for many individuals affected.