The justice secretary is meeting with senior judges today to discuss ways to accelerate the appeals of those convicted in the Horizon scandal, with cabinet minister Mel Stride saying an announcement could come this week.
The government is facing fresh calls to act following the airing of the ITV drama, Mr Bates vs The Post Office, which returned the spotlight to the scandal.
Between 1999 and 2015, more than 700 Post Office branch managers were convicted after the faulty Horizon software made it look like money was missing from their shops.
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Speaking to Sky News, Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said his colleague, Justice Secretary Alex Chalk, is having “discussions” with “senior members within the justice system to see what can be done to expedite and accelerate” those appealing their convictions.
Two former justice secretaries have called for legislation to override the convictions, although other options mooted include a mass appeal, or removing the Post Office from the appeals process.
Mr Stride said the meetings are “happening now” on Tuesday morning.
Asked if it would be this week when the next steps would be announced, he added he could not say the exact day, but it would be in that “order of timescale”.
He added: “I think the important thing is that, albeit it’s just going to be a matter of a few days now, that those discussions are detailed and come to the best possible way of achieving this outcome.”
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