There should be a new public inquiry & those responsible within the Post Office and Government should be held accountable and made to pay whether financially, with Jail terms or both.😡😡
@@Jack-fs2im Royal Mail changed its name in 2022 during our industrial dispute to International Distribution Services. The CEO at the time Simon Thompson & the board tried to destroy the whole workforce and the business for their own financial gain. Which they all gained hundreds of thousands of pounds whilst changing the workers terms and conditions. They sacked more than 150 union reps on trumped up or ridiculous charges. There was an independent review of this by Lord Falconer and so far 93% of them have been successful & have won their case. Costing Royal Mail/IDS millions of pounds. The CEO Simon Thompson, Chairman Keith Williams & Ricky McAuley all lied under oath to the Business Select Committee. What happened to them? Nothing😡😡😡 Thompson got approx £3 million golden handshake whilst Williams & McAuley are still in their positions. It’s a joke!!!!
Nothing else should beat this for a BAFTA in any category. If this doesn't set records then BAFTA should stop giving out awards. So many times these things are overplayed. The timing and tempo of each part was superb, just long enough to raise your hackles but not too long to start throwing things at the TV. Brilliantly done. Paula Vennells should worry for her freedom after this. She and others most definitely perverted the course of justice. We also need to hear more from former Post Office minister Ed Davey and his role in it, or absence from it.
A brilliant cast telling an horrific story of David vs Goliath, even more appalling that this has happened and still is going on over the last 25 years. I hope those who were at the top are held to account and that Paula Vennells has the CBE taken away!!!!! The best thing I have seen on TV for years - Well done to all involved.
Couldnt agree with you more, i was in tears a couple of times, the Cast were outstanding. You have to wonder how much it would have cost the Post Office to have listened at the time, and fix it!! And how much it s going to cost now, their reputation is in the gutter for one thing, was it worth it?
Vennells is an Anglican priest. How can you be an Anglican priest & be so evil? Shouldn’t she also be defrocked & thrown out of the church? (In a sane world)
I am so amazed and delighted that this horrific story has been told. Drama is the strongest way sometimes to unpick and present injustice. A great cast.
They were each told that they were “ the only one “? See that ??? The Establishment are SCARED STIFF of us when we all get together. We are strong when we stick together ❤️
1. Let's not forget their fight is still ongoing, and proportionately, very little has actually been received yet by the 700 postmasters, despite the historic rulings and awards (recompense for loss of homes, savings, and sometimes deaths). And 2. I wonder how this sorry tale would have played out, and still be playing out, without the mind boggling determination and fortitude of the hero that is Mr. Alan Bates. Without his immeasurable qualities, I'm not so sure, or if they would even have all been brought together. What a man! People like him don't come along very often.
Because it turns out the Post Office are a body who can be prosecutor AND judge, without referral to having normal, independent criminal staff even involved! (Something I think most of us have only just found out!). That's what is currently and finally now being addressed, with a view to properly retrying eg. all those non overturned convictions.
@@XelaMa I believe they just replaced the prosecutor - the standard court and judges were used. However a lot of people accepted plea deals and plead guilty to try and avoid prison and a long trial, which involved a criminal record and also paying the deficit back.
Brilliant job by all. I will certainly never buy anything from Fujitsu. The post office behaved appallingly but Fujitsu needs to be held accountable equally. They persuaded the post office that their system was sound when it so obviously wasn’t. Why no alarm bells rang when so many people were implicated is baffling. So angry for these poor souls.
Classic,the post office managers will blame fujitsu and vs versa a bit like Boris blames Hancock and everyone who isn't him and vs versa in the public inquiry its all a charade at "top" level" . No real accountability because society accepts this is just what happens..... " and we pesants are powerless " but it's not true.
Fujitsu - ME TOO !! especially having a career in the IT industry and that generally most Teckies that I taught a great many of, are generally decent people and back when this all started, that Fujitsu's senior people were told often by their IT people the Horizon system was not working properly and I knew some who left because they felt bad in what was happening to post office masters.
Fair point but having my self becoming a Maths Teacher (1982) and then an IT Coordinator who even coming from the industry and the RAF 'still' did very very well, i.e. DH in 8 years, found that standing up to so much that was and even now is far worse - political correctness. Woke and boys coming second place, led to me leaving a job I loved and was good at, a divorce, losing touch with my sons and my half share in a house. After a meeting of staff who all promised to back me in protesting against a new head in choosing to abolisg after school detentions, on standing up and stating the group present were behind me, found when the new head asked the group if this was the case NOT ONE backed me up. I learnt that even though people will very much in private agree with an issue which is worthy, wise and right - generally people want some one else to get it for them, esepcially if it means risking a promotion, a pay rise, gaining a reputation as a trouble maker and most of all finding you are on a list to be let go. SAD but true !!@@sandrapearson728
The only upshot is that Fujitsu PCs (formerly Fujitsu-Siemens) is a totally different department from the former ICL. But… all the same conglomerate, and I can understand not wanting to support them in any way.
Absolutely gobsmacked at how those people were treated. 6 people took their own lives, i hope that after the enquiry that they get more than just compensation. The post office should he held accountable. Watching it broke my heart. 😢
Give them the bafta now.The actors were brilliantly cast.Toby Jones was made for this part.They all told this horrifying story so well I found myself shouting at the telly.Absolute disgrace the way the post office and fujitsu were with their lies.Never touch a fujitsu product again.And as for the post office ??????
As a former PO employee I was very interested in the subject and as others have said found the programme brilliant but the facts truly horrific. The script and acting was top notch but since watching it I have learnt about one glaring omission. That is that there was absolutely no mention of Ms. Vennals' predecessor who was CEO between 2003 and 2010. His name is Adam Crozier. Guess what he is doing now? He is CEO of ITV. Draw your own conclusions.
It's shocking how the CEO of the Post Office at the time was awarded a CBE in 2019 after all she did to deliberately cover up their lies. She should be thoroughly ashamed. If she has any decency left, should hand back the award.
Completely astounded at what happened here! Feel utterly devastated for those poor people who were the victims of the Post Office. Heads need to roll and a huge amount of money needs to be paid to those victims. Am only very sad for the poor people who have died in the meantime without any apology feeling that they had been branded thieves. A travesty!!
One of the best 3 nights of tv viewing I have had in years. The only sad thing about this series is it was a true story that a lot of people had to live through. I hope that they get not just justice but compassion they deserve soon.
I was Communication Workers Rep for many years and the mentality displayed by Post Office Ltd and Royal Mail who I dealt with many times was and is frightening to behold. They think they are infallible and rule with an iron fist. I have known many of the staff with ruined lives because of these 'little hitlers'. I took early retirement because of these characters and 'Mr Bates Versus the Post Office has exemplified their callous behaviour very well - can't wait to see Paula Vennels getting her comeuppance!
This is one of the most compelling and brilliant dramas I have ever seen. The real Mr. Bates is a wonderful heroic man, Toby Jones is superb in his portrayal of him, and the whole cast are truly extraordinary in the truth of their performances as ordinary people who find themselves in a situation that should never, ever have happened and which destroyed their lives.
I had to bing watch this all in one evening. As I got to the end of Ep 1 I simply had to keep watching. I was outraged and horrified at times but also so proud of the spirit of the people who fought back. Credit to James Arbuthnot and his MP colleagues who joined the fight. Among so many negative messages about MPs it is good to see a positive one. Now the Government just needs to finish paying the recompense for all the money stolen from the sub-postmasters. NOW. Not next year, NOW.
I have just watched this drama in full, it broke my heart and I cried through so much of it. The post office behaved despicably over this and in turn so did the government. They should all be paid out compensation if full before any more of them die for goodness sake.
This was a great drama. Wonderful choice of actors. Made all the more moving, knowing that with british justice in such a terrible state, this could happen to any of us.
Several years ago I read a very interesting book by Jon Ronson called the Psychopath Test. When people think of psychopaths they tend to remember Alfred Hitchcock's brilliant film 'Psycho'. But only a tiny number of people with psychopathic tendencies dress up in their dead mother's clothes and murder people. The truth is that they live amongst us, and they do quite well as ruthless, hard-nosed business executives and politicians. They can't empathise, they have to control, they have to lead and win. Some are also aware of their lack of human empathy, so a lot become very religious in order to fill the hole in their make-up. Think of the terrible politicians we have had who use religion to justify their dreadful crimes? I think if some of the bosses of the Post Office took the Psychopath Test, the results could be interesting.....
I found it so hard to walk into my post office today without thinking of all those poor sub postmasters being put through such a terrible time in their lives. I wanted to scream .
I was aware of this happening, but I certainly didnt appreciate the dreadful way these people where put through. Time they will never recover from .shocking to witness the attempted cover up from the POST OFFICE BULLIES .This 4 part series has been very well done . I cant remember the actual final settlement ,but I think it was pretty minimal. Follow the next 3 nights 9pm.
My partner used to work for Fujitsu, different site and team. My great uncle was a post master and a friend of my parents was one of the people who died. We watched it in one go and it was so hard hitting. My partner was picking up the things that Fujitsu were saying that wasn't true, but we don't know if that's accurate to real life or TV poetic licence. I hope we see proper justice for them soon.
I've started reading the final legal judgement on "the Horizon Issues", and it's fascinating (it's on the Justice for Sub-postmasters Alliance website). Near the end, it says Fujitsu were making 100,000 transaction changes every year to address the numerous bugs in the Horizon System! Another document on this website gives the history of Horizon. The system was unreliable from the very beginning, and this was widely known in the government at the time. Horizon was actually developed for another Government role, managing benefit payments, but this was ditched because the system couldn't cope. But Tony Blair didn't want to waste the investment and give up on his 'modernising' pledges, so he asked for Fujitsu to amend it to use for the Post Office. At the time, the Post Office had not wanted to take the system on, but Tony Blair pretty much forced it on them.
A brilliant drama. I had read about this issue years ago and was furious then. This really hits it home. How incredibly awful that the PO could just continually blame hard working previously perfectly honest members of staff again and again is just unbelievable. I believe this still goes on with a lot of the Energy Companies now and big corporate business now, especially post pandemic. . Inept, poorly trained staff. Profits above all else, attitude.
I spent 4 nights swearing at the TV, at the sheer arrogance of the Post Office and so sorry for the Post Masters who at times must have felt they were banging their heads against a brick wall . The actors gave a brilliant portrayal of the the people involved .
BBC Radio 4 made an excellent expose called "The Great Post Office Trial", which started in May 2020 - the latest editions 13-17 were broadcast in N0V 2023. It is available on BBC Sounds. I remain amazed at how little impact it had and pleased to see that by dramatizing this scandal ITV have put it fully into the public awareness.
Adam Crozier is a name that needs putting out there. He was CEO of Royal Mail Group 2003-2010 and quite involved in this scandal.Strangely he is not mentioned in the TV show but that might be something to do with the fact that he is a former CEO of ITV. He has many questions to answer.
Fujitsu is at least equally culpable. The system was unreliable from the very beginning, and this was widely known in the government at the time. Horizon was actually developed for another Government role, managing benefit payments, but this was ditched because the system had too many bugs. But Tony Blair didn't want to waste the investment and give up on his 'modernising' pledges, so he asked Fujitsu to amend it to use for the Post Office. At the time, the Post Office had not wanted to take the system on, but Tony Blair pretty much forced it on them. (From documents about the history of the Horizon disaster on the Justice for Sub-postmasters Alliance website.)
Ok now to prison for all involved in criminal perjury, corporate manslaughter, and blatant, theft and fraud.. If Alex Bell field can get Five+ years for writing emails then the keys should be thrown away for all involved at the Post Office.
This drama production and the ensemble of wonderful characters has been the most emotionally challenging, poignant and enraging drama I haver watched! The production crew should be awarded every gong under the sun for their performances in telling this appalling story. Toby Jones and Alan Bates and everybody else in the production should be congratulated and recognition to ITV for having the courage to broadcast it. An appalling true story, a stunning production...
sorry, but as a British person my trust and pride in Britain died long ago. The horrific things this country has caused throughout history does not make this place very “great”.
Ashamed to be British because of corrupt Royal Mail? Are you ashamed of the people who fought them? Are you ashamed of the lawyers and judicial system that eventually exonerated them? Are you ashamed of parliament who dragged them to a inquiry. Are you ashamed of the actors and production staff who brilliantly put this together? Don't be a fkn idiot.
I love the British people and culture. The British Establishment however, has historically been one of the most evil forces on the planet. The only difference now is that it is far more sophisticated in its camouflage.
All right BAFTA, if you don't give this production a ton of awards then... then... you will be extremely naughty persons and will lose all respect! Seriously, though, kudos to ITV for doing what they have done many times before - produce a series highlighting real life stories in a very relateable, non-preachy way. I'm thinking of things like "Litvinenko", "Des", "The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe" amongst others. If you can stir a nation to indignation with a quiet, non-ranting script, then that is where awards must go. To Gwyneth Hughes in particular.
I thought the whole production was brilliantly put together and acted out, such a heartbreaking case that is finally visible in the public eye (I didn't know much about it before watching this). There are very few TV shows that can bring me to tears but this managed it, you really empathise with the victims and everything they are put through and the ending when they're celebrating at the appeals court is so heartwarming.
It's well over a million now! She's finally 'offered' to return the CBE now, but according to the BBC, the King has to actually rescind the award for it to be official.
This has to be one of the most consequential dramas in a long time, if not of all time. And the impact it has made is both amazing and heart warming. Now with the PM and parliament seem to be on-side, finally something might actually be done for these poor people. All incredibly well acted and presented. A magnificent work. Congratulations to all involved in its production
It wasn't "an untold story". It has been in the newspapers for many years. I certainly followed it. The problem is that not many people read newspapers anymore.
This is an excellent portrayal of what the sus-postmasters must have gone through and the terrible way they were treated by the Post Office. Great work by all the actors the script writer and the director. This should be brought back on a regular basis so that the population do not forget our countries worst misuse of our justice system. The Post Office should be stripped of their power to bring actions against people without going through the normal police channels.
Well done for putting this out there. Now we can see what the post office is really like. Now this has been on t.v. EVERYBODY is talking about it. Now we all realise how serious it is and what really went on behind closed doors. Let’s hope all of the people involved get their JUSTICE.
The depth of this travesty was actually far greater than the series portrayed….so the injustice people may feel watching as an outsider is far deeper, this story hasn’t ended and the people involved have still not received actual justice. That is the worse thing.
This is such a Fantastic Drama I like watching True Story’s That have really Happened and Is got Will Mellor who plays Harvey from Corrie and Julie Hesmondhalgh Who played Healey Cropper
Monica absolutely blew me away with her performance, her mannerisms, her really accurate portrayal of anxiety and fear and desperation. She really got it so well, I felt so hard for her and Sam the most. They both did a really good job of conveying the pain and the fear. I also think the actor who played Noel was so spot on.
Like the actors and directors of this series I had heard about the scandal and thought it was awful but after watching the human devastation this caused, I cried in every episode my heart went out to all those caught up in this miscarriage of justice and it breaks my heart that not one of the perpetrators of this scandal have been bought to justice
So what happens next? This drama series has just shown the tip of the iceberg in this story. I’m sure there are many more stories to be told that could open up a further or follow on series.
I don't even get why nobody in the justice system recognised many post submasters going through the courts with the same issues? Surely one judge or criminal lawyer must of seen this injustice too!
Miscarriages of justice in the UK ? There is a long list: The Birmingham Six, The Gilford Four.....It's a sharp reminder of how important it is to keep a critic's eye on everything . Well done ITV
A superb piece of work that is already doing real good in the world! Congratulations to the writer, director and excellent cast for a job very well done!
My warmest thanks and congratulations to all involved in "Mr Bates vs the Post Office", especially to those appearing in this video, which I found fascinating. ❤ I hope now that the momentum established by this dramatisation is not lost, and that there will be, at the very least, a regular series of news stories about progress towards justice, so we can all see that justice is done, and can be seen to be done.
I live in Canada and I hope that we'll somehow be able to watch this story outside of the UK. It's sounds like the kind of story that is in a way universal - David vs. Goliath.
I can see quite a few awards coming to these actors and I hope, the writer and the director. A truly wonderful production that has brought the real victims' stories to the nation!
Alan Bates should be given a seat in the House of Lords, there are too many cronies in there it's time for real (Honest) people to have a voice! if there's anyone out there who could start a petition for this please go for it
14:34 It is indeed a universal story about corporate attitude toward 'ordinary' people, energy and utility companies, education, Banks, Local Councils.....and etc.
The biggest astonishment for me is, do we always need some kind of TV drama in order to undo the injustices??? Look at the pace, since the ITV aired this drama, parliament is discussing it with full passion first time, making law to over turn the convictions. So called top executive is returning her CBE within 24 hours? For 24 years since no drama was aired, lives of the victims was constantly ridiculed, highly paid executive was being nominated for CBE, days and nights both were beautiful for the top lot,,,, Until someone made and aired this drama…. Does the system knows how to work ONLY when some dramatisation is aired???? Ridiculous!!
I can never understand why after all this time and abuse to all the prosecuted and sacked PO staff involved, have not been fully compensated. I suppose its because the Government is the majority owner. STINKS.
I have just finished watching the 4 episodes and the related documentary. It is one of the most powerful stories I have seen in a very long time. The way this was written and acted was fantastic. It is really depressing that there are people at the top of the Post Office that could be so utterly cruel and savage to other human beings. There is no doubt that the story should not end here. Those disgusting creatures who were responsible for this need to be punished in such a way that others are deterred from doing anything remotely like this in the future.
An absolutely shocking episode in our nations history. Hopefully this dramatisation will galvanise the country to put pressure on the government to reimburse and compensate with maximum speed and shame all the parties involved for the abominable way these poor sub postmasters were treated. To discover that 4 people were so traumatised that they took their own lives, to hear that families were bullied, spat at is heartbreaking. Thank you to the people who made this TV programme possible and educated the country to what was going on.
Terrific drama but such an important story to tell. I have lived in this world and was bowled over by the injustice portrayed so well. It reminded me constantly of the Birmingham Six story. Letting the light in on these shameful episodes is such an important public service. Bravo. A worthy award winner surely?
Oh, Jeez. The minute the actress that played Paula Vennels appeared, I practically choked on my shandy.. It was like Cruella DeVille suddenly appearing at an Animal Shelter Xmas party.........
It just lacks words to describe what all those people has gone through in their lives... Alan Bates well a true hero ncouraged people to write to local MPs about the case to. At least this we can all do trying to help.
I don’t understand why everyone is so shocked by this. There is so much corruption & injustice against the common people, yet we still allow it to happen! The facts show that the lawyers got a bigger payout, than the victims & the main perpetrator gets honoured for her illicit actions, speaks volumes about the broken system we choose to accept as fair!
The cold blooded decision by the post office to continue to persecute its staff is so HORRIFIC, that its still unbelievable to me.
There should be a new public inquiry & those responsible within the Post Office and Government should be held accountable and made to pay whether financially, with Jail terms or both.😡😡
@@martinphilip2619including Fujitsu staff that may have been involved.
How can the PO keep its “Royal” patronage
@@Jack-fs2im Royal Mail changed its name in 2022 during our industrial dispute to International Distribution Services. The CEO at the time Simon Thompson & the board tried to destroy the whole workforce and the business for their own financial gain. Which they all gained hundreds of thousands of pounds whilst changing the workers terms and conditions. They sacked more than 150 union reps on trumped up or ridiculous charges. There was an independent review of this by Lord Falconer and so far 93% of them have been successful & have won their case.
Costing Royal Mail/IDS millions of pounds. The CEO Simon Thompson, Chairman Keith Williams & Ricky McAuley all lied under oath to the Business Select Committee. What happened to them? Nothing😡😡😡
Thompson got approx £3 million golden handshake whilst Williams & McAuley are still in their positions. It’s a joke!!!!
@@Jack-fs2imRoyal Mail and the post office are not the same company
what these Post Office bosses and Auditors did was a crime they MUST be brought to justice, the British award system is a joke
Agreed.
ALL the ones involved need RUSSIAN type justice metered out to them.
It is hard to comprehend how they could be so cruel and calculating, knowing full well how their actions were going to hurt their victims.
All those involved must be punished and fully exposed for what they did.
Nothing else should beat this for a BAFTA in any category. If this doesn't set records then BAFTA should stop giving out awards.
So many times these things are overplayed. The timing and tempo of each part was superb, just long enough to raise your hackles but not too long to start throwing things at the TV.
Brilliantly done.
Paula Vennells should worry for her freedom after this. She and others most definitely perverted the course of justice.
We also need to hear more from former Post Office minister Ed Davey and his role in it, or absence from it.
A brilliant cast telling an horrific story of David vs Goliath, even more appalling that this has happened and still is going on over the last 25 years. I hope those who were at the top are held to account and that Paula Vennells has the CBE taken away!!!!!
The best thing I have seen on TV for years - Well done to all involved.
She should be put in prison and made to pay for what she did ,they need to make her an example of what will happen if you don’t tell the truth .
@@pauldevenport28320 EXACTLY!!!
Couldnt agree with you more, i was in tears a couple of times, the Cast were outstanding. You have to wonder how much it would have cost the Post Office to have listened at the time, and fix it!! And how much it s going to cost now, their reputation is in the gutter for one thing, was it worth it?
Vennells is an Anglican priest. How can you be an Anglican priest & be so evil?
Shouldn’t she also be defrocked & thrown out of the church? (In a sane world)
All involved in this scandal from investigators to judges and reactionary brain dead jurors, should be prosecuted for their part in this crime.
If anyone deserves a knighthood should be Mr Alan Bates, as he took on the mighty post office, good luck.
David and Goliath comes to mind.
@@sandyno1089 Strange so much we owe to the bible
@@Jack-fs2imtell that to the honourable minister Vennells
@@furdiebant why David knew
I am so amazed and delighted that this horrific story has been told. Drama is the strongest way sometimes to unpick and present injustice. A great cast.
They were each told that they were “ the only one “? See that ??? The Establishment are SCARED STIFF of us when we all get together. We are strong when we stick together ❤️
Yes.
1. Let's not forget their fight is still ongoing, and proportionately, very little has actually been received yet by the 700 postmasters, despite the historic rulings and awards (recompense for loss of homes, savings, and sometimes deaths).
And 2. I wonder how this sorry tale would have played out, and still be playing out, without the mind boggling determination and fortitude of the hero that is Mr. Alan Bates. Without his immeasurable qualities, I'm not so sure, or if they would even have all been brought together. What a man! People like him don't come along very often.
How is it that many convictions have been upheld ¿?
Because it turns out the Post Office are a body who can be prosecutor AND judge, without referral to having normal, independent criminal staff even involved! (Something I think most of us have only just found out!). That's what is currently and finally now being addressed, with a view to properly retrying eg. all those non overturned convictions.
@@XelaMa I believe they just replaced the prosecutor - the standard court and judges were used.
However a lot of people accepted plea deals and plead guilty to try and avoid prison and a long trial, which involved a criminal record and also paying the deficit back.
Brilliant job by all. I will certainly never buy anything from Fujitsu. The post office behaved appallingly but Fujitsu needs to be held accountable equally. They persuaded the post office that their system was sound when it so obviously wasn’t. Why no alarm bells rang when so many people were implicated is baffling. So angry for these poor souls.
Classic,the post office managers will blame fujitsu and vs versa a bit like Boris blames Hancock and everyone who isn't him and vs versa in the public inquiry its all a charade at "top" level" . No real accountability because society accepts this is just what happens..... " and we pesants are powerless " but it's not true.
Fujitsu - ME TOO !! especially having a career in the IT industry and that generally most Teckies that I taught a great many of, are generally decent people and back when this all started, that Fujitsu's senior people were told often by their IT people the Horizon system was not working properly and I knew some who left because they felt bad in what was happening to post office masters.
@@wakeupuk3860 this is reassuring to know but a shame they didn’t speak up after they left.
Fair point but having my self becoming a Maths Teacher (1982) and then an IT Coordinator who even coming from the industry and the RAF 'still' did very very well, i.e. DH in 8 years, found that standing up to so much that was and even now is far worse - political correctness. Woke and boys coming second place, led to me leaving a job I loved and was good at, a divorce, losing touch with my sons and my half share in a house.
After a meeting of staff who all promised to back me in protesting against a new head in choosing to abolisg after school detentions, on standing up and stating the group present were behind me, found when the new head asked the group if this was the case NOT ONE backed me up.
I learnt that even though people will very much in private agree with an issue which is worthy, wise and right - generally people want some one else to get it for them, esepcially if it means risking a promotion, a pay rise, gaining a reputation as a trouble maker and most of all finding you are on a list to be let go.
SAD but true !!@@sandrapearson728
The only upshot is that Fujitsu PCs (formerly Fujitsu-Siemens) is a totally different department from the former ICL. But… all the same conglomerate, and I can understand not wanting to support them in any way.
Absolutely gobsmacked at how those people were treated. 6 people took their own lives, i hope that after the enquiry that they get more than just compensation. The post office should he held accountable. Watching it broke my heart. 😢
Give them the bafta now.The actors were brilliantly cast.Toby Jones was made for this part.They all told this horrifying story so well I found myself shouting at the telly.Absolute disgrace the way the post office and fujitsu were with their lies.Never touch a fujitsu product again.And as for the post office ??????
As a former PO employee I was very interested in the subject and as others have said found the programme brilliant but the facts truly horrific. The script and acting was top notch but since watching it I have learnt about one glaring omission. That is that there was absolutely no mention of Ms. Vennals' predecessor who was CEO between 2003 and 2010. His name is Adam Crozier. Guess what he is doing now? He is CEO of ITV. Draw your own conclusions.
No way? Maybe that’s why he got away without being mentioned in the ITV drama
Good grief!
Not any more. He resigned in 2017 and currently is CEO of BT
It's shocking how the CEO of the Post Office at the time was awarded a CBE in 2019 after all she did to deliberately cover up their lies. She should be thoroughly ashamed. If she has any decency left, should hand back the award.
Decency ,that word might need explaining to her.
What great drama applauded when it finish with a tear in my eye.well done itv
If you search on "Strip Paula Vennells of her CBE", there is a campaign you can join. Approaching 400,000 signatures at the time of writing.
As should all the Tory donors and crony Lords.the honours system now is a joke.
And hand back the £400k bonus she received
Completely astounded at what happened here! Feel utterly devastated for those poor people who were the victims of the Post Office. Heads need to roll and a huge amount of money needs to be paid to those victims. Am only very sad for the poor people who have died in the meantime without any apology feeling that they had been branded thieves. A travesty!!
One of the best 3 nights of tv viewing I have had in years. The only sad thing about this series is it was a true story that a lot of people had to live through. I hope that they get not just justice but compassion they deserve soon.
3 nights? It's 4 episodes 😂
I was Communication Workers Rep for many years and the mentality displayed by Post Office Ltd and Royal Mail who I dealt with many times was and is frightening to behold. They think they are infallible and rule with an iron fist. I have known many of the staff with ruined lives because of these 'little hitlers'. I took early retirement because of these characters and 'Mr Bates Versus the Post Office has exemplified their callous behaviour very well - can't wait to see Paula Vennels getting her comeuppance!
Totally agree
I wish you'd elaborate with stories of specific incidences. If you have anything that would help Mr Bates in his pursuit of justice, then pass it on.
Sadly, she was given a CBE. Disgusting
Royal mail in 2024 is a terrible place to work 😟
This is one of the most compelling and brilliant dramas I have ever seen. The real Mr. Bates is a wonderful heroic man, Toby Jones is superb in his portrayal of him, and the whole cast are truly extraordinary in the truth of their performances as ordinary people who find themselves in a situation that should never, ever have happened and which destroyed their lives.
I had to bing watch this all in one evening. As I got to the end of Ep 1 I simply had to keep watching. I was outraged and horrified at times but also so proud of the spirit of the people who fought back. Credit to James Arbuthnot and his MP colleagues who joined the fight. Among so many negative messages about MPs it is good to see a positive one. Now the Government just needs to finish paying the recompense for all the money stolen from the sub-postmasters. NOW. Not next year, NOW.
Same wached in one go
Over 1 million helped get this nightmare FINALLY LISTENED TO.
WE ARE ALL STRONGER TOGETHER ❤
When computer says no, it’s a brick wall we’re up against. Thank God these people battled through. Heartbreaking stories.
I have just watched this drama in full, it broke my heart and I cried through so much of it. The post office behaved despicably over this and in turn so did the government. They should all be paid out compensation if full before any more of them die for goodness sake.
Don’t forget Fujitsu is also heavily involved in this crime against the Post Office staff.
This is so powerful. May Justice be done, for all the Innocent people concerned. 🇬🇧☮️
This was a great drama. Wonderful choice of actors. Made all the more moving, knowing that with british justice in such a terrible state, this could happen to any of us.
Several years ago I read a very interesting book by Jon Ronson called the Psychopath Test. When people think of psychopaths they tend to remember Alfred Hitchcock's brilliant film 'Psycho'. But only a tiny number of people with psychopathic tendencies dress up in their dead mother's clothes and murder people. The truth is that they live amongst us, and they do quite well as ruthless, hard-nosed business executives and politicians. They can't empathise, they have to control, they have to lead and win. Some are also aware of their lack of human empathy, so a lot become very religious in order to fill the hole in their make-up. Think of the terrible politicians we have had who use religion to justify their dreadful crimes? I think if some of the bosses of the Post Office took the Psychopath Test, the results could be interesting.....
I found it so hard to walk into my post office today without thinking of all those poor sub postmasters being put through such a terrible time in their lives. I wanted to scream .
I was aware of this happening, but I certainly didnt appreciate the dreadful way these people where put through. Time they will never recover from .shocking to witness the attempted cover up from the POST OFFICE BULLIES .This 4 part series has been very well done . I cant remember the actual final settlement ,but I think it was pretty minimal. Follow the next 3 nights 9pm.
I’ve been following it on radio4 You and Yours etc 🙂
Victims are STILL FIGHTING, and waiting, for settlement! Horrific, just MAD.
My partner used to work for Fujitsu, different site and team. My great uncle was a post master and a friend of my parents was one of the people who died. We watched it in one go and it was so hard hitting. My partner was picking up the things that Fujitsu were saying that wasn't true, but we don't know if that's accurate to real life or TV poetic licence.
I hope we see proper justice for them soon.
I've started reading the final legal judgement on "the Horizon Issues", and it's fascinating (it's on the Justice for Sub-postmasters Alliance website). Near the end, it says Fujitsu were making 100,000 transaction changes every year to address the numerous bugs in the Horizon System!
Another document on this website gives the history of Horizon. The system was unreliable from the very beginning, and this was widely known in the government at the time. Horizon was actually developed for another Government role, managing benefit payments, but this was ditched because the system couldn't cope. But Tony Blair didn't want to waste the investment and give up on his 'modernising' pledges, so he asked for Fujitsu to amend it to use for the Post Office. At the time, the Post Office had not wanted to take the system on, but Tony Blair pretty much forced it on them.
A brilliant drama. I had read about this issue years ago and was furious then. This really hits it home. How incredibly awful that the PO could just continually blame hard working previously perfectly honest members of staff again and again is just unbelievable. I believe this still goes on with a lot of the Energy Companies now and big corporate business now, especially post pandemic. . Inept, poorly trained staff. Profits above all else, attitude.
In this phenomenal drama, we have Best Drama, Best Writing, Best Director; Best Actor and Best Actress awards.
Compulsive viewing, very emotional, fantastic acting. Thoroughly enjoyed listening to these insights. Well done everyone ❤
where can I watch this, please?
I’ve watched three times. So far.
Try catch up tv..if you have it..or google for answer..awesome program @user-tq9uw1wh9b
Amazing drama. If only the Post Office had shown 1% of the diligence, compassion and attention to detail in their jobs as these actors have.
I spent 4 nights swearing at the TV, at the sheer arrogance of the Post Office and so sorry for the Post Masters who at times must have felt they were banging their heads against a brick wall . The actors gave a brilliant portrayal of the the people involved .
BBC Radio 4 made an excellent expose called "The Great Post Office Trial", which started in May 2020 - the latest editions 13-17 were broadcast in N0V 2023. It is available on BBC Sounds. I remain amazed at how little impact it had and pleased to see that by dramatizing this scandal ITV have put it fully into the public awareness.
I listened to the radio program at the time and couldn’t believe how little impact it had. Thank goodness it is getting the attention now
Superb! The Post Office CEO and senior staff should be ashamed and jailed.
Adam Crozier is a name that needs putting out there. He was CEO of Royal Mail Group 2003-2010 and quite involved in this scandal.Strangely he is not mentioned in the TV show but that might be something to do with the fact that he is a former CEO of ITV.
He has many questions to answer.
Is he that yank?!
Blair pushed it, Keegan's hubby big chief of Fuji.
The Post office CEO responsible for the Horizon system should be behind Bars
Crozier.
Fujitsu is at least equally culpable. The system was unreliable from the very beginning, and this was widely known in the government at the time. Horizon was actually developed for another Government role, managing benefit payments, but this was ditched because the system had too many bugs. But Tony Blair didn't want to waste the investment and give up on his 'modernising' pledges, so he asked Fujitsu to amend it to use for the Post Office. At the time, the Post Office had not wanted to take the system on, but Tony Blair pretty much forced it on them. (From documents about the history of the Horizon disaster on the Justice for Sub-postmasters Alliance website.)
The most significant drama for many a year.
Ok now to prison for all involved in criminal perjury, corporate manslaughter, and blatant, theft and fraud.. If Alex Bell field can get Five+ years for writing emails then the keys should be thrown away for all involved at the Post Office.
Very much agree. Our judicial system is broken which is very frightening.
Brilliantly done but also so sad this can happen in Britain today ,Toby Johnes such a fantastic actor as with all the cast .
This drama production and the ensemble of wonderful characters has been the most emotionally challenging, poignant and enraging drama I haver watched! The production crew should be awarded every gong under the sun for their performances in telling this appalling story. Toby Jones and Alan Bates and everybody else in the production should be congratulated and recognition to ITV for having the courage to broadcast it. An appalling true story, a stunning production...
Just shows the power of the media. No one who can try to make things right does so until a drama about the story goes on the TV
I’m ashamed to be British ,I thought we set an example of justice across the world.
sorry, but as a British person my trust and pride in Britain died long ago. The horrific things this country has caused throughout history does not make this place very “great”.
Ashamed to be British because of corrupt Royal Mail? Are you ashamed of the people who fought them? Are you ashamed of the lawyers and judicial system that eventually exonerated them? Are you ashamed of parliament who dragged them to a inquiry. Are you ashamed of the actors and production staff who brilliantly put this together? Don't be a fkn idiot.
Wow,where have you been ? British justice has been in the toilet my entire life.
Look at them, wigs and gowns, they're taking the piss out of us
I love the British people and culture. The British Establishment however, has historically been one of the most evil forces on the planet. The only difference now is that it is far more sophisticated in its camouflage.
@@rawrsophiextrue.
All right BAFTA, if you don't give this production a ton of awards then... then... you will be extremely naughty persons and will lose all respect! Seriously, though, kudos to ITV for doing what they have done many times before - produce a series highlighting real life stories in a very relateable, non-preachy way. I'm thinking of things like "Litvinenko", "Des", "The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe" amongst others. If you can stir a nation to indignation with a quiet, non-ranting script, then that is where awards must go. To Gwyneth Hughes in particular.
Great program - Alan Bates should get a medal for his push from the beginning, and get everyone together to challenge the post office.
I thought the whole production was brilliantly put together and acted out, such a heartbreaking case that is finally visible in the public eye (I didn't know much about it before watching this). There are very few TV shows that can bring me to tears but this managed it, you really empathise with the victims and everything they are put through and the ending when they're celebrating at the appeals court is so heartwarming.
Over 700000 people have the petition for Paula Vennells to return her CBE.
Just Google - the petition on 38 Degrees, go there and type in - "Strip Paula Vennells of her CBE"
It's well over a million now! She's finally 'offered' to return the CBE now, but according to the BBC, the King has to actually rescind the award for it to be official.
This has to be one of the most consequential dramas in a long time, if not of all time. And the impact it has made is both amazing and heart warming. Now with the PM and parliament seem to be on-side, finally something might actually be done for these poor people. All incredibly well acted and presented. A magnificent work. Congratulations to all involved in its production
It wasn't "an untold story". It has been in the newspapers for many years. I certainly followed it. The problem is that not many people read newspapers anymore.
This is an excellent portrayal of what the sus-postmasters must have gone through and the terrible way they were treated by the Post Office.
Great work by all the actors the script writer and the director. This should be brought back on a regular basis so that the population do not forget our countries worst misuse of our justice system. The Post Office should be stripped of their power to bring actions against people without going through the normal police channels.
Well done for putting this out there. Now we can see what the post office is really like. Now this has been on t.v. EVERYBODY is talking about it. Now we all realise how serious it is and what really went on behind closed doors. Let’s hope all of the people involved get their JUSTICE.
One of the best things I have ever watched in the last 20 years
Lots of tears shed
Toby was fantastic as Capote too. Great actor.
The depth of this travesty was actually far greater than the series portrayed….so the injustice people may feel watching as an outsider is far deeper, this story hasn’t ended and the people involved have still not received actual justice. That is the worse thing.
Monica Dolan and Toby Jones deserve Baftas
This is such a Fantastic Drama I like watching True Story’s That have really Happened and Is got Will Mellor who plays Harvey from Corrie and Julie Hesmondhalgh Who played Healey Cropper
Monica absolutely blew me away with her performance, her mannerisms, her really accurate portrayal of anxiety and fear and desperation. She really got it so well, I felt so hard for her and Sam the most. They both did a really good job of conveying the pain and the fear. I also think the actor who played Noel was so spot on.
Like the actors and directors of this series I had heard about the scandal and thought it was awful but after watching the human devastation this caused, I cried in every episode my heart went out to all those caught up in this miscarriage of justice and it breaks my heart that not one of the perpetrators of this scandal have been bought to justice
Award winning drama, brilliant casting and story telling.
Watching second time around!
Vennells should be in jail for a long time. She, and all the others who lied, have to pay for their unspeakable crimes.
Agreed, lets not stop until justice is served.
So what happens next? This drama series has just shown the tip of the iceberg in this story. I’m sure there are many more stories to be told that could open up a further or follow on series.
The Post Office need to pay for what they’ve done.
Yes, totally agree. But be careful what you wish for as they would only put up the cost of postage to cover any losses.
I pay extra for them to repay 😢the sub post masters obviously hope not too much ax
@@robertalford2257when the tax payer paid for it all in first place! Ridiculous
Surely Fujitsu have a huge part to play in this too.
We want our money back. 👿@@rawrsophiex
I don't even get why nobody in the justice system recognised many post submasters going through the courts with the same issues? Surely one judge or criminal lawyer must of seen this injustice too!
Brilliant production.
I would have enjoyed this more if I’d been able to hear some of the dialogue over the “background” music!
I agree, why oh why does everything have to have boring background music now😩😩
It’s not so much the music as the volume it’s playing at 📣
Miscarriages of justice in the UK ? There is a long list: The Birmingham Six, The Gilford Four.....It's a sharp reminder of how important it is to keep a critic's eye on everything . Well done ITV
Well done this has been brilliant....i feel so sorry for all these people
KC3 needs to intervene on this travesty of justice. Take the Royal Warrant away. It’s just a postal service that’s barely functioning.
A superb piece of work that is already doing real good in the world! Congratulations to the writer, director and excellent cast for a job very well done!
My warmest thanks and congratulations to all involved in "Mr Bates vs the Post Office", especially to those appearing in this video, which I found fascinating. ❤
I hope now that the momentum established by this dramatisation is not lost, and that there will be, at the very least, a regular series of news stories about progress towards justice, so we can all see that justice is done, and can be seen to be done.
In real life they offered Alan Bates an OBE - but the man deserves a knighthood.
I live in Canada and I hope that we'll somehow be able to watch this story outside of the UK. It's sounds like the kind of story that is in a way universal - David vs. Goliath.
I can see quite a few awards coming to these actors and I hope, the writer and the director.
A truly wonderful production that has brought the real victims' stories to the nation!
All actors deserve BAFTA’S. All victims deserve remuneration now.
A truly superb series. All the cast were just wonderful.I bawled my eyes out at the end. :(
Surely one of the best dramas ever made. It changed lives
Everything about the mini-series was brilliant. Nominations all round please BAFTA!
Toby Jones always brings a platinum performance to the screen.
Alan Bates should be given a seat in the House of Lords, there are too many cronies in there it's time for real (Honest) people to have a voice!
if there's anyone out there who could start a petition for this please go for it
14:34 It is indeed a universal story about corporate attitude toward 'ordinary' people, energy and utility companies, education, Banks, Local Councils.....and etc.
What's wrong with listening to voices ? It doesn't need music to add drama to it
I agree, drives me mad.
Absolutely agree. It’s sensory overload and I can’t hear what people are saying. Drives me crackers.
The biggest astonishment for me is, do we always need some kind of TV drama in order to undo the injustices???
Look at the pace, since the ITV aired this drama, parliament is discussing it with full passion first time, making law to over turn the convictions. So called top executive is returning her CBE within 24 hours?
For 24 years since no drama was aired, lives of the victims was constantly ridiculed, highly paid executive was being nominated for CBE, days and nights both were beautiful for the top lot,,,, Until someone made and aired this drama….
Does the system knows how to work ONLY when some dramatisation is aired???? Ridiculous!!
I can never understand why after all this time and abuse to all the prosecuted and sacked PO staff involved, have not been fully compensated. I suppose its because the Government is the majority owner. STINKS.
THE GOVERNMENT IS THE "SOLE" SHAREHOLDER!!!!!
@@sheilagarrido8204 And "the goverment" is/are ...?
They need to be recompensed before they're compensated, that's why. They won compensation but the government isn't recompensing them yet.
I have just finished watching the 4 episodes and the related documentary. It is one of the most powerful stories I have seen in a very long time. The way this was written and acted was fantastic.
It is really depressing that there are people at the top of the Post Office that could be so utterly cruel and savage to other human beings. There is no doubt that the story should not end here. Those disgusting creatures who were responsible for this need to be punished in such a way that others are deterred from doing anything remotely like this in the future.
An absolutely shocking episode in our nations history. Hopefully this dramatisation will galvanise the country to put pressure on the government to reimburse and compensate with maximum speed and shame all the parties involved for the abominable way these poor sub postmasters were treated. To discover that 4 people were so traumatised that they took their own lives, to hear that families were bullied, spat at is heartbreaking. Thank you to the people who made this TV programme possible and educated the country to what was going on.
Terrific drama but such an important story to tell. I have lived in this world and was bowled over by the injustice portrayed so well. It reminded me constantly of the Birmingham Six story. Letting the light in on these shameful episodes is such an important public service. Bravo. A worthy award winner surely?
Oh, Jeez. The minute the actress that played Paula Vennels appeared, I practically choked on my shandy.. It was like Cruella DeVille suddenly appearing at an Animal Shelter Xmas party.........
An excellent drama. I am so sorry what happened.♥️🌻🧑🏻🦼
What's that dreadful background noise music.
Fantastic performances all round 🌹
Really enjoyed this movie, admire the courage and patience of all involved, so sad they had to go through this ❤
This is going to be a teary watch.
It just lacks words to describe what all those people has gone through in their lives... Alan Bates well a true hero ncouraged people to write to local MPs about the case to. At least this we can all do trying to help.
What's with the consultant music. Jesus this is a serious subject.
Well done everyone, your performances have helped Alan and all those people change history and they will get justice.
Rarely watch ITV and even BBC TV series but just loved this series, not one oz of Woke, totally compelling and what TV once was.
This was an AMAZING drama, and should bag a fistful of awards!
This has to win an award.
Powerful performances from everyone involved.
I don’t understand why everyone is so shocked by this. There is so much corruption & injustice against the common people, yet we still allow it to happen!
The facts show that the lawyers got a bigger payout, than the victims & the main perpetrator gets honoured for her illicit actions, speaks volumes about the broken system we choose to accept as fair!