scte long read
“The Fourth Industrial Revolution has the potential to empower individuals and communities, Britain's most venerable institutions, but in the meantime, here is the Long Read that examined the scandal, as well as countless others, affecting upgrades from prisons to ambulances that we would prefer not to think about.
represents a shift from civil proceedings to potential criminal charges against individuals involved in the oversight and management of the Horizon system. The outcome of this investigation could have far-reaching consequences, further exposing the extent of wrongdoing within the Post Office. Looking for someone to blame as emotions ran high, attention has turned to the former CEO of the Post Office, Paula Vennells, who was awarded a CBE as late as 2019 for services to the Post Office and charity. Vennells, who served as CEO from 2012 to 2019, and who is also an Anglican minister, faced intense scrutiny for her role in the scandal, with allegations of negligence, lying to Parliament and a lack of accountability during her tenure. An online petition went viral in the weeks subsequent to the drama airing on TV, leading to Vennells’ bowing to pressure and relinquishing her CBE altogether, an extraordinary expression of the level of public outrage - the petition received 1.2m signatures in less than a week. She will appear before the enquiry later this year. As investigations unfold and the legal landscape shifts, the Post Office's future hangs in the balance, with serious questions to answer as far as organisational accountability is concerned, never mind the pursuit of justice. One hopes that from the ashes of such catastrophic failure rather more than bland platitudes about lessons being learned will be achieved this time. Broadband Journal will continue to monitor and report on developments in this multifaceted story as it shapes the future of one of
It took a critically acclaimed ITV drama over Christmas last year to catapult this appalling situation into the imaginations of an enraged British public; one of those rare times when everyone was talking about it at once; the collective outrage was palpable. Boris Johnson and his Partygate was probably the last time that happened. The outcry forced a red- faced government, already under intense pressure to call an election amid a flurry of scandals, into hurriedly announcing a new law that will overturn all convictions. There is still an ongoing government inquiry that concludes next year, as well as a recently announced Metropolitan Police criminal investigation. The perilous financial position of the Post Office has also come to light, amid looming threats of legal costs and tax evasion on an epic scale. There is even feverish talk of bankruptcy, and now the Post Office are in consultation with the Royal Mail about scaling back its delivery services to 3 days a week. It may have to in order to pay those bills. The inquiry has become a focal point for stakeholders seeking answers and justice, as it delves into the complex web of decisions, oversight, and organisational culture that allowed the Post Office Scandal to persist over decades. The findings of the inquiry are anticipated to shape the future of the Post Office and potentially lead to broader reforms within the financial and justice sectors. In a significant escalation of legal action, the Metropolitan Police recently announced a criminal investigation into the Post Office Scandal. This move
as it creates new opportunities for economic, social, and personal
development. But it also could lead to the marginalisation of some groups, exacerbate inequality, create new security risks and undermine human relationships.”
By Klaus Schwab, Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum
MARCH 2024 Volume 46 No.1
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