The UK government's tax authority, HMRC, has continued its partnership with Fujitsu, the IT firm implicated in the Post Office Horizon scandal. This decision, to extend Fujitsu's contract to run the Trader Support Service (TSS), has drawn criticism from campaigners who argue that it prioritizes government convenience over accountability for the company's role in the wrongful convictions of hundreds of subpostmasters.
Fujitsu , the IT firm responsible for the faulty Horizon software that led to the wrongful prosecution of hundreds of subpostmasters for theft and false accounting, has received a year-long contract extension from HMRC to run its Trader Support Service ( TSS ). This decision has sparked criticism from campaigners, who argue that the government is prioritizing Fujitsu 's involvement in critical systems over addressing the ongoing damage caused by the Horizon scandal.
Former subpostmaster Sir Alan Bates, a leading campaigner in the fight for justice for those affected by Horizon, voiced his disapproval of the extension. He stated that continuing to work with Fujitsu until the full implications of the scandal are resolved sends the wrong message and risks further entrenching the company within government systems. Bates also criticized HMRC's reluctance to sever ties with Fujitsu, suggesting that the government is being held hostage by the company's influence.The TSS contract, which runs until January 2024, is crucial for facilitating trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland post-Brexit. While Fujitsu voluntarily paused bidding for new government contracts in January 2024 pending the outcome of the Post Office scandal inquiry, the extension to the TSS contract raises concerns about the government's commitment to accountability. The company previously agreed to contribute to the compensation of subpostmasters who were wrongly convicted based on Horizon data. However, as of November 2023, discussions regarding the extent of Fujitsu's financial responsibility remain unresolved. Lord Arbuthnot, another prominent advocate for the wrongly convicted subpostmasters, condemned the contract extension, arguing that it signals a lack of concern for Fujitsu's unethical behavior and undermines the government's bargaining power in securing adequate compensation for the victims. He further expressed concerns about the government's overreliance on Fujitsu and questioned the company's capability to deliver on the TSS contract given its previous failures with Horizon. HMRC defended the decision, emphasizing the vital role TSS plays in supporting traders and streamlining customs processes under the Windsor Framework. Fujitsu reiterated its commitment to cooperating with the inquiry and expressed its deepest apologies to the subpostmasters and their families, pledging to work with the government on appropriate actions, including compensation, based on the inquiry's findings
Fujitsu HMRC Post Office Scandal Horizon Software Trader Support Service TSS Contract Extension Compensation Subpostmasters Brexit
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