Learning lessons from the past: what hope for real change at the Post Office and continued public confidence in statutory inquiries?

As the Post Office Inquiry comes to a close, Catherine Hobby and Dr Elaine Yerby assess whether the proceedings will bring lasting change to the organisation and why reform at the Post Office is crucial for ongoing public confidence in public inquiries.

The final phase of the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry has closed, with publication of its findings expected in summer 2025. Closing arguments from core participant counsel emphasised the human suffering of sub-postmasters and mistresses (SPMs) inflicted on them by the Post Office and Fujitsu’s ‘wicked’ and ‘dishonest’ defence of its flawed Horizon IT system.