Major update on Post Office campaigner Alan Bates' Horizon scandal claim

Sir Alan Bates has had his claim settled, it has been reported (Image: Getty)

The UK Government provided a major update on Sir Alan Bates' Horizon claim. The government has agreed a deal with the former sub-postmaster after handing him what he described as a "take it or leave it" offer during the spring, reports Sky News.

More than 900 subpostmasters were prosecuted between 1999 and 2015 after faulty Horizon accounting software made it look as though money was missing from their accounts. Many are still awaiting compensation despite the previous government announcing that those who have had convictions quashed are eligible for £600,000 payouts. In a statement the government confirmed that "Sir Alan's claim has reached the end of the scheme process".

A government spokesperson said: "We pay tribute to Sir Alan Bates for his long record of campaigning on behalf of victims and have now paid out over £1.2bn to more than 9,000 victims.

"We can confirm that Sir Alan's claim has reached the end of the scheme process and been settled."

Sir Alan led efforts over many years to prove that the Horizon software system supplied by Fujitsu, the Japanese technology company, was faulty.

The scandal was propelled into the spotlight in January last year following the airing of ITV’s drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office, starring actor Toby Jones as Sir Alan.

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