Thread by @nickwallis

Chair of @CommonsBEIS blasts minister over this morning’s written statement into Post Office scandal compensation scheme for those with quashed convictions:

“To publish a written ministerial statement two hours before a session like this… leaking it to the press...

@CommonsBEIS … the day before, not providing sufficient detail or giving a statement to the house is quite frankly wholly unacceptable…
Jo Hamilton: It’s terrible.
Darren Jones: … it’s terrible I agree. And so we will be calling ministers in the Post Office to ask many of the questions...

@CommonsBEIS … that we’ve talked about today and to try to provide as many answers as possible.”

That was @DarrenpJones MP talking at the end of a @CommonsBEIS oral evidence hearing.

Separate to that I’ve been told an Urgent Question has been requested for tomorrow - which...

@CommonsBEIS @darrenpjones … may go ahead or may result in a ministerial statement re the funding of compensation for the whole scandal.

I’ve had half an ear on the oral evidence session and half an ear on the Westminster Hall debate and therefore failed to listen properly to either, but some of what...

@CommonsBEIS @darrenpjones … Alistair Carmichael said about the Historical Shortfall Scheme beggars belieft. We now appear to be entering a phase of the scandal where backbenchers will be ragging ministers to show some gumption and come up with a holistic compensation effort whilst the Treasury...

@CommonsBEIS @darrenpjones … quietly, but firmly, instructs the Post Office and its lawyers to spend the absolute minimum possible.

The result will be taxpayers money which could go on compensation to victims will be diverted into the pockets of lawyers, and victims will either walk away with...

@CommonsBEIS @darrenpjones … far less than they should get, or die/get ill trying to maintain the fight.

Shameful.

ENDS