Ex-Post Office head of IT says Paula Vennells ‘hoped to avoid’ inquiry – and reveals she blocked her number | Business News
Ex-CEO Paula Vennells contacted the previous head of IT on 4 separate events asking for assist to “avoid” an unbiased inquiry into the Horizon scandal, the Post Office inquiry hears, because the ex-exec breaks down in tears.
A former Post Office government has stated she was compelled to block ex-boss Paula Vennells’ telephone number after the ex-CEO referred to as a number of instances asking for assist to keep away from an unbiased inquiry into the Horizon IT scandal.
Lesley Sewell, beforehand the corporate’s head of IT, instructed the Post Office inquiry on Thursday that former CEO Ms Vennells had reached out to her 4 instances between 2020 and 2021.
Ms Sewell stated that she blocked Ms Vennells’ number due to discomfort with the contact.
In her witness assertion to the probe, Ms Sewell stated that one of Ms Vennells’ emails referenced the necessity to fill in reminiscence gaps concerning Horizon and “Project Sparrow”, a committee addressing points with forensic accountants who recognized flaws within the accounting system.
“Paula contacted me on four occasions in total. I recall blocking her number after the last call as I did not feel comfortable with her contacting me,” Ms Sewell stated.
“I had not spoken to Paula since I had left POL [Post Office Limited] in 2015.”
According to Ms Sewell’s testimony, former chief government Ms Vennells stated that she had “been asked at short notice” to seem earlier than a parliamentary choose committee on “all things Horizon/Sparrow and need to plug some memory gaps”.
Ms Sewell says Ms Vennells added: “My hope is this might help avoid an independent inquiry but to do so, I need to be well prepared.”
Broke down in tears
Ms Sewell, who struggled to include her feelings and broke down in tears whereas giving her oath firstly of her inquiry proof, was provided help and breaks as wanted by chairman Sir Wyn Williams.
Sir Wyn instructed the previous government: “Ms Sewell, I appreciate this may be upsetting for you, Ms Price will ask you a number of questions in a proper and sensible manner, but if at any time you feel you need a break, just let me know, all right?”
Read extra:
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Ex-Post Office boss accused of ‘mendacity all through’ at inquiry
Former government referred to as ‘gatekeeper of the distant entry secret’
The Post Office has confronted vital scrutiny following the ITV drama Mr Bates Vs The Post Office which highlighted the Horizon IT scandal.
The defective system led to the prosecution of greater than 700 sub-postmasters between 1999 and 2015, with many nonetheless awaiting full compensation regardless of authorities bulletins concerning payouts for these with quashed convictions.
