Former boss, appearing at inquiry, denies decision not to review miscarriages of justice over 10 years ago was led by PR adviser
boss Paula Vennells ruled out a review that would have exposed the Post Office scandal more than 10 years ago after being told it would be “front-page news”.
Post Office employees continued until 2015 to be prosecuted and hounded and to take their own lives over apparent shortfalls in funds at their branches caused by faults in Horizon. She was personally messaged by her head of communications, Mark Davies, about his concerns that such a move would “fuel the story” beyond the “usual suspects” who were reporting on potentially unsafe convictions.
“Did you exchange messages with Mr Davies about media statement you might make and the media lines you might take in the announcement of this inquiry?” Beer asked.“He was still advising you in 2020 about the lines to take in your media statement?” asked Beer. She said: “There were other conversations going on at the same time. The highlighted paragraph isn’t as clear as what you’re saying.Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what’s happening and why it matters“I do not think and I would not have taken personally any decision on the review of historic cases. That was not to my role. I wasn’t qualified or competent to do that.
Vennells repeatedly told the inquiry that she could not recollect events, and denied any knowledge of a conversation recounted by her general legal counsel Susan Crichton on the eve of a board meeting in July 2013.
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