ITV's Peston goes off air as Ian Hislop and Jake Berry clash over Post Office

11 January 2024 , 11:16

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ITV's Peston goes off air as Ian Hislop and Jake Berry clash over Post Office

Ian Hislop clashed with the ex-Tory Chairman Sir Jake Berry in a furious exchange over the Post Office scandal which saw ITV's Peston show end in chaos.

Host Robert Peston had to tell viewers the programme was "over" as the pair continued to argue after Mr Hislop challenged the top Tory. Private Eye editor Mr Hislop demanded to know why it had taken the Government so long to act and why ex-boss Paula Vennells was given a CBE.

It came just hours after Rishi Sunak said the government would introduce a new law to exonerate postmasters whose lives were torn apart by a dodgy IT system.

Ex-Post Office boss Ms Vennells has already handed back her CBE amid growing anger over the scandal - but there also calls for her to lose bonuses she was paid.

Sir Jake said the Government also has control over the "massive" taxpayer-funded pensions of former Post Office Officials. But the Private Eye editor Mr Hislop hit back, saying: "Why couldn't you do it so long ago?"

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He asked why it had taken the ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office to jolt ministers into action over exornating those wrongly convicted and compensation for the victims. He added: "I mean it is absolutely fatuous for this government to claim 'hey we're really acting now'. Did nothing. Did nothing the whole time."

Ian Hislop asked the Tory MP why it took an ITV drama to jolt ministers into action

Shouting over each other, the Have I Got News For You captain Mr Hislop demanded to know why ex-Post Office CEO Paula Vennells was given a CBE in 2019.

In response, Sir Jake, who was the Tory Chairman under ex-PM Liz Truss, said his comment was "utter nonsense". The programme ended in chaos as presenter Robert Peston failed to stop the pair clashing and fellow panellist and Labour MP Jess Phillips looked on bemused.

The clash came as campaigning hero Mr Bates, who is played by Toby Jones in the ITV drama, told The Mirror the PM's plans for compensation do not go far enough.

He said: said: “The overturning of convictions is very good news but the priority remains full financial redress to everyone impacted. £75,000 is an alternative to having your case independently assessed, so for the smaller cases, it will probably suffice, But for many cases, it is not enough.

“If someone’s lost their home, business, earning potential, cashed in their pensions, there’s been vast costs over the years. We’re talking over 15, 20 years. It is certainly going to be more than £75,000. How you can put a price of the PTSD many are suffering. The Government still haven’t addressed the issues of mental health support and treatment needed for not just the victims but the families, too.”

Ashley Cowburn