Wirral Council is set to assess whether there are any lessons from the Public Inquiry led by Sir Wyn Williams into the Post Office Horizon scandal.
At Monday’s meeting of the Council’s Audit & Risk Management Committee, the Chair, Cllr. Jenny Johnson, secured all-party support for this, and any other future public inquiries, to be considered by the Council in how it conducts its business.
Phase Six of the Horizon Inquiry is about to begin and will collect evidence on how the Horizon system was monitored, contractual arrangements with Fujitsu and others, internal and external audit, technical competence, stakeholder engagement, oversight and whistleblowing.
Councillor Johnson said: “You would hope the Horizon scandal will be a ‘never again’ moment concerning how a large public sector organisation can behave towards people who work for it and who rely on it.
“Like everyone, I was appalled, angry and upset that hardworking people, doing their best to deliver a service for the Post Office could be treated so badly, and for so long. Several lives lost, hundreds of livelihoods ruined and thousands of people affected. And a once proud company brought to its knees, seemingly by years of lies and arrogance by senior directors.
“I’m grateful for the support of all councillors at our meeting this week. We must ensure that if there any recommendations from the Inquiry that could also be applied to Wirral, then they will be. No ifs, no buts.
The final stage of the Horizon Inquiry, Phase 7, will cover current practice and procedure and recommendations for the future and is expected to take place later in the summer.
