Mr Bates Vs the Post Office viewers demand justice for real-life victims as finale airs

Mr Bates Vs the Post Office has brought the Post Office scandal to wider public attention, prompting viewers to demand justice for those impacted by the event following the ITV drama's moving finale.

The Post Office scandal depicted in the series led to several sub-postmasters being falsely accused of fraud, theft and false accounting despite evidence of errors with a computer system called Horizon. The error had led to financial amounts changing or sudden losses occurring, and between 2000 and 2014 more than 700 staff members were falsely prosecuted for it.

Read more: Tragedy of Post Office workers who died before getting justice over Horizon scandal

One of Britain's biggest ever miscarriages of justice, the scandal was brought to the forefront of public consciousness following the release of the ITV show. Many viewers took to social media after the finale aired to share their thoughts and call for justice to be served.

Carol Vorderman reflected on the show on X, formerly known as Twitter, where she shared her hopes for justice while responding to actor Julie Hesmondhalgh: "#MrBatesVsThePostOffice we understand so much more now about the depths to which those who govern will sink in order to protect only themselves. Paula Vennells & all others responsible should be brought to justice, & if there aren't laws to do so, then they need to be created."

Another viewer, who has relevant familial ties, said of the series: "As the son of a sub-postmaster I watched this thinking it could’ve been any of us. Honest, hard-working people had their lives ruined. Alan Bates is a hero. Well done Toby Jones for an acting masterclass. A great cast. Thinking of all those still fighting."

One person commended the show, writing: "Literally jaw drooping and heartbreaking in equal measure. The suffering endured by the SPMs over the past 20 years is beyond belief. British justice gone horribly wrong. This has to be put right."

Similarly, a viewer reflected on the finale by writing: "I don’t understand how those involved in the post office scandal still haven’t got justice. It’s disgusting and making me so angry that people haven’t been held accountable #MrBatesVsThePostOffice"

Read more: What happened to the sub-postmasters on Mr Bates vs The Post Office?

Another viewer shared their despair over what has happened to the sub-postmasters, and called out former Post Office CEO Paula Vennells as they said: "Watched #MrBatesVsThePostOffice Absolutely shocked and disgusted what happened to those people. 236 jailed. I knew of the story but not the full extent. Appaulling. #PaulaVennells got a CBE!! Well done to #MrBatesVsThePostOffice and others for fighting on. Hope u get #justice"

Commending the drama's depiction of events, one viewer said: "Although I'd heard about the Horizon scandal, #MrBatesVsThePostOffice will have brought it to much wider attention. These innocent upstanding people deserve full justice and heads need to roll at the PO. Campaigning telly at its very best."

Sharing how viewers can help those affected by the scandal, one viewer said: "For those asking 'what can we do now?' The wonderful Alan Bates is asking people to write to their MP calling for compensation for the victims."

Mr Bates Vs the Post Office is available to watch on ITVX now.

Watch the trailer for Mr Bates Vs the Post Office: