Victim and survivor engagement
The public inquiry has currently heard all of the oral evidence it intends to call. It will resume on 16 and 17 December for oral closing submission from the Core Participants.
This runs until the end of 2024 after which the investigation team gets access to a large amount of remaining material.
We have the technical means of simplifying the identification and recovery of key evidence in amongst all bulk data and material within our possession. The investigative process and review may lead to interviews with key individuals. This is dependent on what is reasonably believed to be the level of their criminal involvement. Offences focused on are those committed against the state or criminal justice system such as perjury and perverting the course of justice. There is not going to be a re-examination of individual prosecutions brought by the Post Office.
A number of interviews under caution have already taken place and it is highly likely others will be scheduled in due course. Evidence must be gathered in accordance with legal rules and procedures which govern such criminal investigations. This is a significant and complex process.
We have opened a ‘Major Incident Room’ using the latest technology to assist the investigation. We now also have in place a national investigation team formed by:
- Metropolitan Police
- National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC)
- Chief Constables across the UK
These are separated into regional teams to give coverage across the UK. Not just England and Wales but also Police Scotland and the Police Service of Northern Ireland. Strategic oversight is through a ‘Gold Commander’ who ensures the investigation is run efficiently and effectively.
We fully understand and recognise that behind our investigation processes are those who have greatly suffered as a consequence of actions taken against them by the Post Office. We will never lose sight of this and are treating them as ‘victims’ within the principles of the Victims Code of Practice. Some might feature more prominently than others in our investigation if a matter they were involved in becomes part of a prosecution case.
Rest assured we aim to make every effort to maintain contact in one form or another with everyone we deem to have been victims from wrongful Post Office intervention.
This website is one means of keeping in contact. It also allows you to get in contact with us.