Tory ministers accused of 'betraying' Scots sub-postmasters caught up in Horizon scandal

Tory ministers have been accused of "betraying" sub-postmasters in Scotland caught up in the Horizon scandal.

Angela Constance, the Justice Secretary, lashed out at the UK Government today after it was announced legislation to offer blanket pardons to Horizon victims would be extended to cover Northern Ireland - but not Scotland.

The Scottish Government is planning to bring forward its own legislation to exonerate sub-postmasters who were wrongly convicted because of faulty software.

But SNP ministers have faced pushback from the Crown Office which has argued each case must be considered individually.

Constance met with Post Office minister Kevin Hollinrake last month to press the benefits of UK-wide legislation.

It comes after around 100 Post Office sub-postmasters in Scotland were amongst those convicted after being wrongly accused of embezzling money.

The UK Government’s Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Bill was originally planned to clear the name of those affected in England and Wales, but will also now be extended to cover Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris said that the “legislation will deliver for those affected in NI as quickly as possible”.

Hollinrake said the UK Government was extending the remit of the legislation, because the “significant and unique challenges” the recently restored administration there would face in bringing forward legislation at an “expedited pace”.

He added: "It remains the UK Government’s view that it is more appropriate for the Scottish Government to bring forward proposals to address prosecutions on this matter in Scotland, and for these to be scrutinised by the Scottish Parliament.”

While the minister insisted the UK Government would “continue to support” the Scottish Government in developing its own legislation, his letter prompted an angry response from Ms Constance.

She said: “We fully support the extension of this Bill to cover Northern Ireland, but it is outrageous that the UK Government has declined to also include Scotland.”

The Justice Secretary added: “This ignoring of Scotland is typical of Westminster’s attitude.

“It means that sub-postmasters north of the border will be the only victims in the UK not covered by the legislation at Westminster, which is precisely where the miscarriage of justice has its origins and was overseen by successive Tory and Labour governments.

“It is a betrayal of Scotland’s Horizon victims for UK ministers to behave in this manner.”

Constance told how sub-postmasters had suffered “one of the biggest miscarriages of justice in UK legal history”, adding that those affected in Scotland “do not deserve to be subject to Westminster’s petty political point-scoring.”.

Noting that amendments have been laid in the Commons which could extend the UK Government’s Bill to Scotland, she added: “We still hope that MPs overrule the UK Government and amend the legislation so that it covers Scotland.

“But if that does not happen, Scottish legislation will be introduced.”

A UK Government spokesperson said: "Justice is a devolved matter in Scotland so it is right that Scottish Ministers remain accountable for decisions taken in Scotland.

"The Scottish Government has already indicated that they are bringing forward legislation, and we will continue to support them in developing proposals to overturn all convictions relating to the Horizon scandal in Scotland.”

To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here