Henry Staunton, the former chairman of the Post Office, testified before a public inquiry that there is a significant class, race, and gender divide within the organization, pointing to a lack of diversity in leadership roles. He stated, "The Post Office does have a problem with ethnicity and gender," emphasizing the issue stems from a 'jobs for the boys' culture that overlooks the contributions of women and ethnic minorities, leading to systemic inequities in representation at the top.
During the inquiry, Mr. Staunton disclosed troubling financial issues related to the introduction of a new IT system, NBIT, replacing the flawed Horizon system. He noted the project's cost had skyrocketed from an anticipated 300 million to approximately 800 million, leading him to express significant concern over financial oversight. He said, "When it was reported to the board, it came as quite a shock," reflecting ongoing operational failures within the organization.
Staunton's testimony also addressed the plight of wrongfully accused postmasters, criticizing the Post Office's continued negligence in recompensing individuals harmed by erroneous prosecutions. He remarked on the ongoing vilification faced by these individuals, noting, "There seems to be a lack of desire to pay proper compensation for innocent people who have suffered due to this system," underlining a broader failure of management accountability in handling these injustices.
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