Judgement published following Met Police application for a Restriction Order
Chair grants amended Restriction Order to avoid prejudicing police investigation
The Chair of the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry has today granted an amended Restriction Order to a small number of documents held by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), so as to avoid prejudicing ongoing criminal proceedings.
The MPS made an application under s19(2)(5) of the Inquiries Act 2005 to restrict access to evidence relating to their interviews with former Fujitsu employees, Gareth Jenkins and Anne Chambers. Both will give oral evidence before Sir Wyn Williams next month, in Phase 3 of the Inquiry.
The Inquiry held a hearing to address the MPS’ application on 6 April 2023, and has today published an open judgement following the hearing.
After carefully considering representations made at the hearing, Sir Wyn Williams decided to grant a Restriction Order, saying:
“It is common ground amongst all those who made submissions before me that the Inquiry should avoid harm to the criminal investigations. It goes without saying that I share that view and it is something that I take very seriously and have well in mind when making decisions which potentially impact upon those investigations.”
He has however amended the Order, including to ensure it is clear that Counsel to the Inquiry may question the relevant witnesses on parts of the restricted evidence if it is necessary to do so.
The Decision also sets out Sir Wyn’s intention to hold a review of the Restriction Order before Mr Jenkins and Mrs Chambers are called to give further evidence in Phase 4 of the Inquiry, noting comments made by Counsel to the Inquiry about the “sluggish” pace of the MPS investigation.
Read Sir Wyn Williams’ full Decision here. The Restriction Order is published here.
Ends
Notes to editors:
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Sir Wyn Williams previously refused an application by Gareth Jenkins for an undertaking from the Attorney General. Read more here.
