Post Office Capture and Horizon Scandals

Debate between Lord Stockwood and Baroness Brinton

Thursday 12th February 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Stockwood (Lab)]

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Arbuthnot—and the noble Lord, Lord Beamish—for supporting the Horizon Compensation Advisory Board; it is very much appreciated and important work. The noble Lord will know that the legislation followed over 100 successful Horizon conviction appeals through the existing processes. However, as he mentions, no convictions related to Capture have been overturned to date. However, we must therefore allow the independent judiciary to consider safety of convictions through the established process, and we continue to support the work of the CCRC. It would be inappropriate for me to comment further, as that process needs to be independent and run its full course.

[Baroness Brinton (LD)]

My Lords, I am very grateful to the Minister for that response, but noble Lords in yesterday’s Committee stage of the Victims and Courts Bill debated the urgent need to change the courts’ presumption that computer system evidence is always reliable. Everyone in that debate, including the Minister, agreed that this must be changed, not least following the Horizon scandal. Despite what the Minister said, will he and the Minister in yesterday’s Committee please work together to ensure that this change happens as soon as possible?

[Lord Stockwood (Lab)]

I can confirm to the noble Baroness that the department will work to try to ensure that that comes to its logical conclusion.