Post Office IT scandal was 'heartbreaking'

A former Worcestershire sub-postmaster has described the first findings from an inquiry into the Post Office Horizon IT scandal as "heartbreaking".

Sally Stringer, who ran Beckford Post Office for 20 years, paid £50,000 from her life savings to cover false accounting problems caused by the faulty IT system.

The first report from the inquiry stated more than 13 people may have taken their own lives due to the scandal, and Ms Stringer said: "It's heartbreaking, absolutely heartbreaking that families have lost their loved ones."

A Post Office spokesperson said: "Today, we apologise unreservedly for the suffering which Post Office caused to postmasters and their loved ones."

They said the report had "brought to life the devastating stories" of those impacted by the scandal.

They also added: "Their experiences represent a shameful period in our history. We will carefully consider the report and its recommendations."

Ms Stringer was one of 1,000 sub-postmasters who were accused of stealing money from their accounts because the software indicated cash was missing.

Reacting to the report, she said: "I've met postmasters who have lost husbands, who've lost wives, who even tried to commit suicide because they've been so desperate and it's just heartbreaking."

Asked if she was surprised by any of the findings in the report, she said: "No, nothing, the human impact has been absolutely and utterly devastating.

"It makes me very angry, it makes me very, very angry."

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