Post Office scandal's real Alan Bates who lost everything fighting for justice
ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office has gripped the nation, bringing back one of the biggest scandals into the limelight.
The four-part series, which aired on January 1, depicts the 'extraordinary' story of the 'greatest miscarriage of justice in British legal history'. Based on real-life events spanning from 1999 -2015, it explores the mysterious financial losses appearing in post office tills.
Some 700 innocent sub-postmasters were prosecuted by the Post Office for false accounting and theft. Employees lost their jobs, and were sent to prison after a faulty computer system called Horizon caused cash to 'vanish' from their tills. Four members of staff tragically took their own lives.
Alan Bates, one of the main character's in the show, was one of the many victims in the scandal. Portrayed by Toby Jones, the former sub-postmaster lost his life savings and his job thanks to the egregious errors.
Bates and his partner Suzanne Sercombe used their life savings to buy a Post Office branch in Llandudno, North Wales, back in 1998. Like many innocent workers, he refused to accept liability and the Post Office terminated the couple's contract with just three months' notice.
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The real-life Alan Bates with his partner Suzanne
The real-life Alan Bates with his Mirror Pride of Britain award last year (Phil Harris)After losing a whopping £65,000, Bates spearheaded a campaign for Post Office whistleblowers and - along with five other employees - took the company to the High Court in a Group Litigation Order covering 555 claimants. Judge Mr Justice Fraser ruled computer errors were to blame. This goes against then-CEO Paula Vennells who described Horizon as 'robust'.
In 2019, the Post Office paid out £58 million in compensation for fale prosecutions based on faulty eveidence from the computer system. Judge Fraser described the Post Office's denials about Horizon issues as "institutional obstinacy". However, the group were only left with £12m – about £20,000 each – after legal costs.
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Speaking to The Mirror about the injustice, Bates said: "There were a whole host of very, very sad stories. The Post Office made people think they were going crazy. They didn't just inflict financial ruin, destroying livelihoods, it also destroyed families. But there was one positive. We were all together and we knew the truth. There was also a determination that we were going to expose the lies."
Bates is portrayed by Toby Jones in the dramaHe described the scandal as a 'total cover-up' and accused the Post Office of lying. "I just hope that the real guilty are actually pursued and prosecuted," he added.
Bates made headlines last year after turning down an OBE for services to justice. He said whilst he appreciates the recognition of his relentless and unpaid campaigning - he couldn't accept the accolade. "I hope you can understand why it would be so inappropriate for me to accept any award at present, while so many of the victims continue to suffer so badly," he stated.
Mr Bates Vs The Post Office airs tonight at 9pm on ITV and is available to stream on ITVX now
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