A former sub-postmistress wrongly accused of fraud has thanked a former St Ives MP for championing her cause.
Susan Knight, the former postmistress of St Keverne Post Office, met with Andrew George at her home on the Lizard to celebrate the latest victory for the victims of the Sub Post Office computer scandal.
It follows the Government announcing a new law on Wednesday that would “swiftly” exonerate and compensate victims.
A Public Inquiry, designed to ensure a public summary of the failings and learn lessons, began in February 2021 but a recent ITV drama, Mr Bates vs The Post Office, has thrust the “shocking story” back into the spotlight.
The widespread and long-lasting series of individual miscarriages of justice between 1999 and 2015, involved more than 700 sub postmasters being wrongly convicted of theft, false accounting and fraud when shortfalls at their branches were in fact due to errors of the Post Office’s Horizon accounting software.
Some were jailed while others have been financially ruined, took their own lives or died before their names were cleared.
Andrew helped Sue with her case and strongly backed the wider campaign for justice.
Sue was sub-postmistress from 2004 until she was wrongly suspended by Post Office Counters Ltd on November 6, 2012.
The Post Office withdrew from the Crown Court case against her, offering no evidence, on August 5, 2013.
Sue was acquitted but received no apology nor compensation for the devastating impact their false accusations had on her.
Sue later received a “derisory” amount of compensation after the High Court victory for Post Office campaigners in 2019.
Andrew believes Sue should receive a proper apology and the “full compensation she deserves.”
Sue said: "I just wanted to thank Andrew for his support throughout my ordeal.
“He stood by me and was always there to help.
“He was amongst those MPs leading the campaign for justice for other subpostmasters in my position.
“A huge personal thank you from myself and my husband, Nigel.”
Andrew said: “Sue has been remarkably strong and stoical through all of this.
“Few will understand just how distressing it is to be falsely accused of wrong doing, especially when it’s done so publicly.
“My attempts to seek justice, a fair review and fair treatment for Sue and others was met with unbending and hostile condescension by Paula Vennells and senior officers of the Post Office.
"I’m so pleased that our campaigning is paying off; at Sue's trial in 2013, the High Court in 2019 and since.
“Sue deserves a proper apology and full compensation for the devastating impact this has had on her life, family and wellbeing.”
“It’s shocking that the right-wing press should try to place blame on Ed Davey.
"He was one Minister who actually responded to our campaign and met the lead campaigners.
"He explained that Ministers were prevented from interfering with the case, but was clearly shocked and concerned about the treatment of subpostmasters."