Post Office: Prosecution Powers

Lord Polak Excerpts

Tuesday 4th February 2020 Lords Chamber

[Lord Duncan of Springbank]

There is a new chief executive and a new regime is in place. I cannot comment on the individuals who were in positions of power during that time because I simply do not have the answer. I recognise the anger the noble Lord brings to his question, and that it is shared by the House today.

[Lord Polak (Con)]

My Lords, the department has a representative on the board of directors. What is his exact role?

[Lord Duncan of Springbank]

We have a non-executive director who is responsible for representing the department and the Government. His role has evolved from a perhaps more passive approach to a much more active one going forward. We have to have a much stronger view about how we manage this area, through the chief executive, the chairman and the non-executive director with responsibility for governance and clear adherence to the responsibilities of the board itself.