Fujitsu: Post Office Horizon Case

Lord Beamish Excerpts

Tuesday 17th March 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Leong (Lab)]

My Lords, the anger shown by the noble Lord, which I share, is completely understandable, considering the serious injustice experienced by so many sub-postmasters. These are exactly the issues that the independent inquiry is examining in detail. Fujitsu has acknowledged a moral obligation to contribute to the costs of redress, and the Government have made it absolutely clear that it should do so. Decisions regarding its future role as a government supplier will be made carefully, based on the full findings of the inquiry.

[Lord Beamish (Lab)]

My Lords, the situation outlined by my good friend, the noble Lord, Lord Arbuthnot, is right. Fujitsu provided the equipment for the Post Office and knew what was wrong with it, and, even worse, it had a contract to provide information in court to prosecute individual postmasters. Fujitsu was at the centre of this scandal.

My noble friend said that Fujitsu has announced that it has a moral obligation. Well, moral obligations do not pay bills. The taxpayer is on the hook already for over £1.4 billion paid out. Those postmasters—some, unfortunately, are no longer with us—need answers to this injustice. Fujitsu is hiding behind the inquiry. It could make the interim payment now. The Government must stop giving this company contracts: that is the only thing which will stop it and wake it up. Can my noble friend indicate when that decision will be made to stop giving Fujitsu work?

[Lord Leong (Lab)]

I share the frustrations my noble friend expresses. The Government are absolutely committed to ensuring that this inquiry takes place, and the findings will be published soon. As he will note, the first volume of the inquiry has been published, and it makes it clear that Fujitsu has an obligation to make compensation for the sufferings of all these postmasters. We are determined to ensure that Fujitsu plays its part.