Criminal – "The Post Office" (November 21, 2025)

Overview

In this gripping episode of Criminal, host Phoebe Judge investigates the UK’s Post Office Horizon scandal—a breathtaking miscarriage of justice where subpostmasters were falsely accused and convicted of theft and fraud due to faulty accounting software. Through the experiences of Scott Darlington, a subpostmaster caught up in the ordeal, and insights from journalist Nick Wallace, the episode explores personal anguish, institutional failure, and the long, painful road to exoneration and compensation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Becoming a Subpostmaster (02:01–07:32)

• Scott Darlington’s Background
  Scott sought stable work and purchased a local Post Office branch in Alderley Edge, a high-end community ([03:09]).
  "I thought there was an opportunity of bringing it up to date and making it suit the Village..." – Scott Darlington ([04:09])

• The Vetting Process
  Emphasized the trust required for subpostmasters—a role akin to doctors or police in societal standing ([05:29]).
  "You were kind of like a doctor. ... People did actually hold postmasters in high esteem." – Scott Darlington

• Learning Horizon
  The mandatory training included use of the Horizon computer system, which was already outdated ([06:08]).

The Day-to-Day Reality & Early Problems (07:32–10:15)

• Operations
  Scott handled large cash sums, highlighting the role's risk and responsibility ([07:32]).

• Account Balancing
  Slight discrepancies during the weekly office balance were normal, accounted for human error ([08:26]).
  "It was usually four or five, six pounds or something like that. ...as long as the discrepancies were only small like that, nobody really thought too much about it." – Scott Darlington

• First Major Error
  Years into the job, a discrepancy of £1,700 in stamp stock appeared out of nowhere ([09:38]).

Escalating Disaster & Consequences (09:38–16:31)

• Increasing Discrepancies and Isolation
  Scott's Horizon balances showed growing and inexplicable deficits (£44,000 over months), causing him extreme stress and anxiety ([11:46]).

• Unhelpful Helpline and Lack of Support
  The Horizon helpline was unhelpful:
  "They basically said, well, how are you going to pay? You know, you're responsible." – Scott Darlington ([10:21])

• Accusation and Suspension
  After being unable to make the numbers match, he was audited, accused of theft, suspended, and interrogated like a criminal ([12:37–14:14]). "They were stood up, shouting down at me, where is the money? Where have you put it?" – Scott Darlington ([13:46])

• Union & Support Fails The union leader’s first response was to ask about gambling problems, implying blame ([14:31]).

• Doubt, Guilt, and Societal Fallout Scott began to doubt himself and experienced stigma after a suspended prison sentence for false accounting ([15:19–16:31]). "Now I felt like a pariah in society, you know, walking around." – Scott Darlington ([17:52])

The Bigger Picture Emerges (21:41–33:02)

• Nick Wallace Investigates
  Journalist Nick Wallace became involved after hearing about Seema Misra’s wrongful conviction while pregnant ([21:41]).

• Pattern of Injustice
  Wallace uncovered many cases, with the Post Office always maintaining the subpostmaster was solely at fault ([24:54]).

• Historical Context
  The Post Office’s revered role in British culture meant accusations were devastating and met with widespread disbelief ([25:02]).

• Systemic Cover-Up
  The Post Office, desperate to protect its investment in Horizon, downplayed errors and dismissed concerns, telling isolated subpostmasters “no one else has had a problem like the one you're describing” ([29:13]).

• Devastating Human Impact
  Many subpostmasters’ health suffered; some had heart attacks, others lost their jobs, homes, and social standing ([30:23]).

Collective Action and Legal Battles (33:02–41:04)

• Formation of Advocacy Groups
  Alan Bates led the Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance. Meetings revealed the widespread nature of the injustice ([30:53]).

• Investigations and Legal Action
  An inquiry uncovered systemic flaws and apparent cover-ups; 555 subpostmasters became part of a class action lawsuit ([34:50]).

• Damning Judgments
  The judge characterized the Post Office’s contract as "oppressive" and cited a determined effort to mislead the court ([38:32]).
  "At times the Post Office acted as though it is answerable only to itself." – Judge’s ruling, per Phoebe Judge

• Revelation on Remote Access
  Former Fujitsu employee Richard Roll testified to having access to—and the ability to alter—branch accounts, devastating the Post Office’s claims ([37:23]).

• Limited Compensation
  Large settlements shrank after legal fees, offering little relief to those wronged ([40:12]).

• Historic Overturning of Convictions
  After public pressure, more than 900 wrongful convictions were identified; only a fraction overturned until a 2024 act of Parliament ([41:51]).

• Lingering Harm
  Compensation has been slow; many died waiting ([43:31]). "We think the figures are now more than 200 people have died waiting for their full and final compensation." – Nick Wallace ([44:08])

Closing Reflections (44:38–44:52)

• Enduring Trauma
  Scott has avoided his former Post Office workplace:
  "I don’t go in, no...as a rule I don’t go in." – Scott Darlington ([44:38])

• Recognitions
  Some campaigners were honored by the state; Alan Bates was knighted.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Role’s Prestige
  "You were kind of like a doctor...people did actually hold postmasters in high esteem." – Scott Darlington ([05:29])

• On First Encountering a Major Discrepancy
  "The system’s telling me I was £1,700 down in cash. ...that's like a suitcase full...it’s just ridiculous." – Scott Darlington ([09:38])

• On the Helpline’s Response
  “They basically said, well, how are you going to pay? You know, you're responsible.” – Scott Darlington ([10:21])

• On the Mental Toll
  “I couldn't sleep. I was losing weight. It wasn't much fun to be doing this anymore at all.” – Scott Darlington ([11:54])

• On Discovering others’ experiences
  “Once you heard other people's stories, it was like a sense of relief ...this wasn’t you.” – Scott Darlington ([30:53])

• On the Post Office’s Response to Criticism
  “Protecting the mothership became this prime directive … the Post Office. They could not countenance any criticism … because the whole edifice would come crashing down.” – Nick Wallace ([28:40])

• On Remote Access & Prosecutions
  "If remote access was not just possible, but people like Richard Roll had been doing it on a regular basis, then there was no way these prosecutions could be safe.” – Nick Wallace ([38:01])

• On Judicial Exasperation
  “The Post Office continuing to claim that Horizon was reliable was, quote, the 21st century equivalent of maintaining that the earth is flat.” – Judge’s ruling, cited by Phoebe Judge ([40:36])

• On Compensation Delays and Loss
  "More than 200 people have died waiting for their full and final compensation." – Nick Wallace ([44:08])

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |:----------- |:--------| | 02:01–07:32 | Scott buys and operates the Alderley Edge Post Office | | 09:38–12:15 | First major discrepancy and failed attempts to resolve | | 12:37–16:31 | Audit, accusation, suspension, and legal fallout | | 21:41–24:54 | Nick Wallace begins investigating, meets subpostmasters | | 25:02–27:45 | Post Office history, Horizon system introduction | | 30:53–33:02 | Subpostmasters first meeting and formation of support group | | 34:50–39:06 | Class action lawsuit and damning courtroom testimony | | 40:12–41:51 | Settlement, criminal convictions, and continued fallout | | 43:31–44:08 | Delayed compensation and campaigners’ recognition | | 44:38–44:52 | Scott’s emotional distance from the Post Office |

Tone and Atmosphere

The episode is somber, empathic, and quietly outraged—reflecting the pain and injustice endured by subpostmasters and their families, but also the perseverance and solidarity that eventually brought the truth to light.

For Further Reading

• Nick Wallace’s book: The Great Post Office Scandal: The fight to expose a multi million pound IT disaster which put innocent people in jail.

Criminal continues to excel at weaving personal stories with societal critique, making "The Post Office" a powerful chronicle of how institutional accountability can falter—sometimes with devastating, decades-long consequences.