Former Sub-Postmaster Fears Horizon System Still Faulty

A former Harborough sub-postmaster was accused of stealing nearly £2,000 after the Horizon computer system reported a shortfall despite her Post Office being closed for a year.

The small branch in North Kilworth shut at the start of the pandemic in 2020, because it could not be adapted for social distancing.

Julie Beisner checked her accounts on the computer before closing the doors, which showed they were balanced.

After deciding to retire and close the office a year later before it re-opened, Post Office officials attended to complete a final audit on the system, which indicated a shortfall of £1,970.

Julie Beisner & the former Post Office in North Kilworth

Julie, who had run the Post Office for over 20 years and which had been in her family for over 170 years, disputed the figure, saying it was impossible for losses to have been accrued when the office was not trading.

She has spoken to HFM in the wake of the Horizon scandal, which saw around 700 branch managers prosecuted for fraud and theft because of the faulty accounting software, being thrown into the spotlight by an ITV Drama.

The final audit took place just weeks after Post Office presented her with flowers to thank her for her long service.

Julie, who suffered numerous problems with the system and estimates paying £3,000 to Post Office to cover alleged shortfalls over the years, has described the experience as ‘traumatic’ and says it shows there were still issues with it in 2021.

Julie requested to meet the Post Office’s Chief Executive Nick Read to discuss what happened and has since received a full apology from Post Office, which withdrew the allegation of the shortfall.

She has since given evidence to the Public Inquiry investigating the scandal and is part of a compensation scheme, seeking recompense for she put into the business to cover the alleged shortfalls over the years.

A Post Office spokesperson said: “We share fully the aims of the Public Inquiry to get to the truth of what went wrong in the past and establish accountability.

“We can’t comment on individual cases.

“We are doing all we can to put right the wrongs of the past, including providing full and fair compensation for those affected.”