Timetable published for Leeds Human Impact Hearings and Focus Groups
The Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry has today named witnesses due to give evidence during its Leeds based Human Impact Hearings, and published further details for its Human Impact Focus Groups.
The Inquiry is seeking to gain insights into impacts that failings surrounding the Post Office’s Horizon IT system have had on affected individuals as well as their families and others.
After hearing evidence in London and Cardiff, the Human Impact Hearings continue. The Inquiry has invited evidence from former and current SubPostmasters/SubPostmistresses (SPMs), their assistants, managers, and affected family members. The Leeds hearings will take place at The Studio, Riverside West, Whitehall Road, Leeds, LS1 4AW on 9 and 10 March 2022. The hearings will then return to London on 16 and 17 March 2022.
Witnesses will attend the venue on their allocated day or be heard remotely. Due to the hybrid nature of these hearings, there is no dedicated space provided for public attendance in the hearing room, however the public hearings will be broadcast via the Inquiry's YouTube channel, with a 3 minute delay. Core Participants will be able to take part in the hearings through a live link which has been provided to them by the Inquiry.
The Inquiry is also holding Human Impact Focus Group sessions with current serving and former SPMs and Post Office Branch workers. The first of these will be on Friday 4 March 2022 and they will continue throughout March. The Focus Groups will explore with participants their experiences of becoming an SPM or Post Office Branch Worker; running a Post Office Branch; working with Post Office Limited and any impacts of these experiences on them.
The sessions will be held remotely with 2-4 participants taking part in each Focus Group. There will be a morning session (10am start) and afternoon session (2pm start). There will be no public access to the Focus Groups however it will be possible to follow the sessions via the Inquiry’s YouTube channel, with a 3 minute delay.
Please see here for the timetable and list of witnesses/participants.
The Inquiry’s Chair, Sir Wyn Williams, has announced that the Inquiry will soon hold further Human Impact Hearings in Northern Ireland and Scotland. Further details will be available in due course. Those interested in sharing their experiences with the Inquiry can find more information about participation here.
Evidence gathered during the first three weeks of Human Impact Hearings in London and Cardiff is available on the Inquiry’s website.
Ends.
Notes to editors:
- There is limited space for in-person media attendance at the Hearings in Leeds. For media enquiries, please contact newsdesk@postofficehorizoninquiry.org.uk.
- The Inquiry is now on Twitter. Follow @PostOfficeInquiry for live updates on the Hearings.
