Mr Bates vs. The Post Office: Episode 1
April 24, 2024 4:16 PM - Season 1, Episode 1 - Subscribe
Mysterious financial losses lead the Post Office to fire and prosecute village Subpostmasters, who have no way to prove their innocence.
Toby Jones, (Empire of Light, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Sherlock), stars in this real-life David and Goliath story that chronicles the jaw-dropping plight of hundreds of postal workers accused of a crime they didn’t commit—but went to jail for and worse. It’s a story that UK journalists have reported on for years but once dramatized for TV, set off a firestorm of public outrage that forced the Prime Minister to act.
Toby Jones, (Empire of Light, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Sherlock), stars in this real-life David and Goliath story that chronicles the jaw-dropping plight of hundreds of postal workers accused of a crime they didn’t commit—but went to jail for and worse. It’s a story that UK journalists have reported on for years but once dramatized for TV, set off a firestorm of public outrage that forced the Prime Minister to act.
Here’s a nice recap, and a helpful explainer for the post office.
posted by bunderful at 8:15 PM on April 24 [1 favorite]
posted by bunderful at 8:15 PM on April 24 [1 favorite]
Here’s a direct link to the Computer Weekly article from 2009. It’s infuriating that this cock up has been ongoing for two decades and is still not settled. I don’t think Fujitsu has ever been brought to account.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 4:41 AM on April 25 [2 favorites]
posted by TWinbrook8 at 4:41 AM on April 25 [2 favorites]
This was so stressful to watch. Those poor people.
posted by orrnyereg at 6:25 AM on April 25 [1 favorite]
posted by orrnyereg at 6:25 AM on April 25 [1 favorite]
Good heavens, there’s an Inquiry going on right this minute, live updates on the BBC website. Angela van den Bogerd is testifying. Link
A timeline is posted at 8:42.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 8:16 AM on April 26 [1 favorite]
A timeline is posted at 8:42.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 8:16 AM on April 26 [1 favorite]
Dozens of former sub-postmasters and postmistresses - some of who dealt with Van den Bogerd directly in their complaints, and in some cases were wrongly prosecuted - were not shy in reacting to her claims.
Her responses were regularly met with groans, laughter and shakes of the head, which grew particularly animated during the fiery questioning towards the end of the day.
These sub-postmasters and postmistresses were under no illusions that they would get any sense of satisfaction or closure from Van den Bogerd's evidence - but they felt compelled to turn up and face her all the same.
From Twinbrook8’s link.
Fuck yeah, sub-postfolk!
posted by bunderful at 9:59 PM on April 26
Her responses were regularly met with groans, laughter and shakes of the head, which grew particularly animated during the fiery questioning towards the end of the day.
These sub-postmasters and postmistresses were under no illusions that they would get any sense of satisfaction or closure from Van den Bogerd's evidence - but they felt compelled to turn up and face her all the same.
From Twinbrook8’s link.
Fuck yeah, sub-postfolk!
posted by bunderful at 9:59 PM on April 26
You are not logged in, either login or create an account to post comments
posted by bunderful at 4:17 PM on April 24