Jan 25, 2024 06:00:00

Fujitsu Europe's top executive says ``the glitch has been known for a long time'' regarding the accounting system glitch that led to the indictment of 900 post office workers in the UK

Over 900 postmasters in the UK

were prosecuted one after another from 1999 to 2015 due to flaws in the accounting system 'Horizon IT' developed by ICL Pathway Limited (later Fujitsu Services Limited). Did. At a public inquiry held into the incident, the co-chief executive officer of Fujitsu's European division was heard to have said, ``It was known from the beginning that there were flaws in the system.''

Post Office: 'appalling' that courts not told of bugs, Fujitsu boss admits | Post Office Horizon scandal | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/jan/19/post-office-inquiry-horizon-it-scandal-software-fujitsu

Fujitsu bugs that sent innocent people to prison were known “from the start” | Ars Technica
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/01/fujitsu-bugs-that-sent-innocent-people-to-prison-were-known-from-the-start/

UK post offices use the accounting system ``Horizon IT'' developed by Fujitsu Services Limited, a subsidiary of Fujitsu in the UK, to process counter operations. However, because Horizon IT had a problem that often caused shortfalls, suspicions of fraud and theft were brought against people involved in the post office, and many people were convicted from 1999 to 2015.

As many as 900 people were indicted, including postmasters and office workers, but as of 2024, only 93 convictions have been overturned.

During the investigation into the incident, Paul Patterson, co-chief executive of Fujitsu Europe, attended a public inquiry held in London. In this, Mr. Patterson said about the flaws in Horizon IT, saying, ``All the bugs and errors have been known to some extent for years and years,'' and even though Fujitsu was aware of the existence of the bugs, It has become clear that he acted in a manner that confirms the public's suspicion that he was left alone.

According to The Guardian, 29 bugs were identified in Horizon IT as of 1999, but witness statements given by Fujitsu employees when post office officials were indicted were redacted and are only now being made public. It is said that there was no such thing.

After being pointed out by Jason Beer, the lead attorney in charge of the public inquiry, Patterson stated, ``This is shameful. I believe all the evidence should have been submitted.'' Mr Patterson also told members of the British Parliament who met with him on a separate day: ``Fujitsu would like to apologize for being complicit in this miscarriage of justice. I can say that I cooperated with the prosecution of the postal worker.I am truly sorry.''

Minister for Foreign Affairs Kevin Holylake, who has jurisdiction over the Post Office, said: ``The top priority is compensation and answers for people. It is perfectly natural for the public to hold people accountable. We are also planning new laws to provide prompt protection and compensation for those who have been raped.'