Watch again: Paula Vennells gave final day of evidence at Post Office Horizon IT inquiry
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Watch again as Paula Vennells gave her final day of evidence at the Post Office Horizon IT inquiry on Friday (24 May).
The former Post Office chief executive has been subjected to two days of tough questioning by the inquiry’s lead counsel Jason Beer KC, breaking down in tears multiple times as she apologised to victims and was pressed on her response to the death of subpostmaster Martin Griffiths.
On Thursday, Ms Vennells insisted the idea given by former communications director Mark Davies in 2013 that the Post Office should not review historical cases involving Horizon from “five to 10 years” ago because it would be “on the front page” was a “grossly improper perspective”.
But an email shown to the inquiry then revealed she had replied to Mr Davies at the time: “You are right to call this out. And I will take your steer, no issue. There are two objectives, the most urgent being to manage the media. The second is to make sure we do address the concerns of JA [ex-MP James Arbuthnot] and Alan Bates.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments