Speaking at today\u2019s Prime Minister\u2019s Questions<\/a>, Sunak said: \u201cToday I can announce that we will introduce\u00a0new primary legislation\u00a0to make sure that those convicted as a result of the Horizon scandal are swiftly exonerated and compensated.\u201d<\/p>\n He went on: \u201cWe will also introduce a new upfront payment of \u00a375,000 for the vital GLO group of postmasters. We will make sure that the truth comes to light.\u201d<\/p>\n The GLO group are the 555 subpostmasters and mistresses who successfully challenged the Post Office over the Horizon accusations at the High Court in 2019.<\/p>\n It was also stated that individuals could choose to have a full assessment for more compensation.<\/p> Leader of the Labour Party Sir Keir Starmer also addressed the scandal in today\u2019s PMQs, referring to it as a \u201chuge injustice\u201d and saying: \u201cPeople lost their lives, their liberty and their livelihood and they\u2019ve been waiting far too long for truth, for justice, for compensation.\u201d<\/p>\n The story of how hundreds of subpostmasters and mistresses were wrongly\u00a0accused of theft, fraud and false accounting<\/a> by the Post Office following a defective IT system was reported at the time, but the new ITV drama has led to renewed interest and public anger over the injustices faced by those involved.<\/p>\n Post Office Minister Kevin Hollinrake also said today that those claiming for exoneration and compensation will have to sign a statement which will confirm they did not commit crimes.<\/p>\n Hollinrake said: \u201cAll we ask is that as part of claims for compensation they sign a statement to the effect that they did not commit the crimes. Anyone falsely signing this will be subject for prosecution for fraud. An honest postmaster will have his or her conviction overturned.\u201d<\/p>\n Read more:<\/strong><\/p>\n Earlier this week, Sunak confirmed that the justice secretary was \u201clooking at\u201d plans to exonerate the victims of the scandal, with the real-life Alan Bates saying at the time<\/a> that Sunak \u201creally needs to ensure things happen now and they happen at real speed \u2013 not just at pace, which he has commented on recently\u201d.<\/p>\n Bates continued: \u201cThere\u2019s no reason these things can\u2019t be sorted quickly if enough pressure is brought to bear and it\u2019s the compensation of the original people that fought the court case that needs resolving now. It\u2019s been going on for almost 20 years for a number of these people and they\u2019ve got to be able to get on with their lives.\u201d<\/p> ![\"Amit](\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2023\/12\/mrbatesvsthepostoffice01-6041f5c.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413\" "\\"mr_bates_vs_the_post_office_01\\"\/")
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