Post Office scandal victim slams UK government at National Television Awards

Post Office scandal victim Jo Hamilton criticized the government at the National Television Awards, accusing ministers

At the National Television Awards on Wednesday, Jo Hamilton, a former sub-postmaster and one of the key figures in the Post Office IT scandal, took the stage to deliver a stinging rebuke to the government over its handling of compensation for those wrongfully accused. While accepting awards for the ITV drama "Mr Bates vs the Post Office," Hamilton criticized the lack of progress in the compensation scheme, despite Labour’s recent ascent to power.

Speaking at the O2 arena in London, Hamilton expressed her frustration with the ongoing delays and insufficient payouts. “I went to Westminster a few weeks ago and met with the new minister. Trust me, nothing has changed,” she declared, sparking audible boos from the celebrity audience. She revealed that more than 300 of the 555 workers who won a landmark civil case in 2019 had yet to receive full compensation, including campaign leader Sir Alan Bates, who was offered only 30% of his claim.

Hamilton’s remarks come amidst a backdrop of heightened scrutiny and public outrage over the treatment of the victims, with the ITV drama fueling calls for quicker justice. The government has defended its efforts, stating it is working diligently to resolve the issues. However, Hamilton’s stark warning and the drama's success have renewed pressure on officials to fulfill their promises and expedite the compensation process.