Page Description
Discover George Thompson’s regrettable legacy
as former NFSP President,
his lack of leadership in advocating,
and the impact on the postal community.
George Thompson at the Inquiry: Defensiveness Without Reflection
This page presents a collection of eight videos featuring the testimony of George Thompson, former General Secretary of the National Federation of SubPostmasters (NFSP), during the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry. Thompson’s performance has raised serious questions about the role of the NFSP, its independence, and its willingness — or failure — to stand up for the Subpostmasters it claimed to represent.
One of the videos includes a sharp analysis by Dr. Paul Duckett, who critically examines Thompson’s statements and demeanor, highlighting a striking lack of self-awareness and accountability. The footage speaks for itself.
At one point, even Sir Wyn Williams, Chair of the Inquiry, felt compelled to intervene and remind Thompson that he was expected to answer the questions being asked.
George Thompson: National Federation of SubPostmasters (NFSP)
George Thompson tijdens het verhoor: Defensief zonder zelfreflectie
Deze pagina bevat een reeks van acht video’s met de getuigenis van George Thompson, voormalig algemeen secretaris van de National Federation of SubPostmasters (NFSP), tijdens het Post Office Horizon IT-onderzoek. Thompsons optreden roept serieuze vragen op over de rol van de NFSP, haar onafhankelijkheid en de bereidheid — of het gebrek daaraan — om op te komen voor de Subpostmasters die zij beweerde te vertegenwoordigen.
Een van de video’s bevat een scherpe analyse van Dr. Paul Duckett, die Thompsons uitspraken en houding kritisch onder de loep neemt en wijst op een opvallend gebrek aan zelfinzicht en verantwoordelijkheid. De beelden spreken voor zich.
Op een gegeven moment zag zelfs Sir Wyn Williams, voorzitter van het onderzoek, zich genoodzaakt in te grijpen om Thompson erop te wijzen dat hij de gestelde vragen daadwerkelijk moest beantwoorden.
Given the questionable aspects of George Thompson’s character, a more critical analysis of his role is necessary.
Here’s a summary of the key points about George Thompson, reflecting this perspective:
Questionable Leadership and Integrity: During his tenure as President of the NFSP, George Thompson’s character and leadership were called into question. His actions and decisions have been scrutinized, particularly during the Post Office Horizon IT scandal.
Compromised Independence: Thompson’s NFSP was closely aligned with the Post Office, sharing the same building and operating under agreements that significantly limited the federation’s autonomy. This raised serious concerns about whether the NFSP truly represented the interests of subpostmasters.
Involvement in the Post Office Scandal: Under Thompson’s leadership, the NFSP failed to effectively challenge or investigate the issues arising from the Horizon IT system, which led to the wrongful prosecution of many subpostmasters. His role in this period is seen as deeply problematic.
Criticism from Subpostmasters: Figures like Alan Bates and others involved in the inquiry have been critical of Thompson, suggesting that he did not act in the best interests of subpostmasters and was too closely aligned with Post Office management.
Controversial Legacy: George Thompson’s legacy is marked by controversy. His leadership during a crucial period is seen by many as contributing to the systemic failures that harmed countless subpostmasters.
This portrayal aligns with the critical insights provided by the inquiry and reflects the doubts surrounding George Thompson’s character and actions.
Post Office Inquiry: former union boss branded ‘aggressive and belligerent’ during tense exchange
21 jun 2024
George Thomson, former general secretary of the National Federation of Subpostmasters was accused of being ‘aggressive and belligerent’ during a tense exchange with Sam Stein KC.
He also denied lacking sympathy for those who were wrongfully convicted as a result of faults in the Horizon IT system.
Mr Thomson, who served as general secretary between 2007 and 2018, gave evidence at the Post Office inquiry on Friday.
Exemples
- The belligerent nations refused to negotiate peace, escalating the conflict further.
- The belligerent demeanor made it difficult to have a civil conversation with him.
- The drunk man became increasingly belligerent as the night wore on, picking fights with anyone who crossed his path.
- The belligerent tone of the email suggested that tensions were running high within the company.
- The belligerent army marched confidently into enemy territory, ready for battle.
- She regretted engaging with her belligerent coworker during the meeting, as it only fueled his aggression.
- The belligerent dog growled and bared its teeth, warning anyone who approached too closely.
- Despite numerous attempts at diplomacy, the belligerent leaders seemed determined to push their countries into war.
- The belligerent protesters clashed with police, leading to a chaotic scene in the streets.
- The belligerent customer demanded a refund, shouting profanities at the cashier.
- His belligerent attitude alienated those around him, leaving him isolated and alone.
- The teacher intervened when two belligerent students began shouting insults at each other in the classroom.
Post Office Inquiry: former union boss branded ‘aggressive and belligerent’ during tense exchange
21 jun 2024
George Thomson, former general secretary of the National Federation of Subpostmasters was accused of being ‘aggressive and belligerent’ during a tense exchange with Sam Stein KC.
He also denied lacking sympathy for those who were wrongfully convicted as a result of faults in the Horizon IT system.
Mr Thomson, who served as general secretary between 2007 and 2018, gave evidence at the Post Office inquiry on Friday.
Post Office Inquiry: chair forced to intervene as witness clashes with counsel
21 jun 2024
Sir Wynn Williams was forced to intervene during the Post Office Inquiry on Friday as witness George Thomson traded barbs with counsel Julian Blake.
The former general secretary of the National Federation of Subpostmasters was reminded by the chair to give direct answers, after frequent prompts to do so by the barrister.
Union representing sub-postmasters repeatedly ignored Horizon IT concerns | ITV News
Back to menu IMPORTANT CONTENT Listening recommended Must ***
20 mrt 2024
How was it the Post Office were able to go about criminalising hundreds of innocent people for more than a decade without as much as a peep from the National Federation of Subpostmasters (NFSP), which represents the vast majority of self-employed sub-postmasters?
ITV News can reveal that the union repeatedly ignored concerns over Horizon IT.
Nick Wallis reports.
Kevin Hollinrake and Nick Read answer postmaster questions at NFSP Annual Conference.
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28 mei 2024
This year’s Conference featured Your Questions, a panel Q&A. The panel, included Postal Affairs Minister Kevin Hollinrake, Post Office Ltd Chief Executive Nick Read, NFSP Chief Executive Officer Calum Greenhow and guest speaker Darren Burns, from the Timpson Group, chaired by NFSP Chair Tim Boothman.
LIVE Post Office Inquiry as George Thomson faces Horizon IT questions
Live gestreamd op 21 jun 2024
The Horizon IT Post Office Inquiry comes to an end for this week today as George Thomson, the former General Secretary of the National Federation of Subpostmasters faces questions.
Watch today’s full Post Office Inquiry proceedings live in the video player above from around 9.45am and let us know what you think in the comments below.
Post Office Scandal – George Thomson
Back to menu IMPORTANT CONTENT Listening recommended Must ***
30 jun 2024
My analysis of the testimony of George Thomson, former general secretary of the National Federation of SubPostmasters (NFSP) to the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry. The NFSP is an association that represents subpostmasters . George was giving evidence on why hundreds of operatives were prosecuted after the Post Office blamed them for financial shortfalls reported by the Post Office IT accounting system (Horizon). The inquiry has shown how the Horizon IT system was unreliable and contained bugs, errors and defects. George decided to use his testimony to defend Horizon and to remind us that not all the subpostmasters were honest folk.
00:00 – Start
04:05 – Truth
08:43 – Pride
11:33 – The Bad Apples
16:26 – Weaponising the bad apples plan
Educational
At minute 12: lack of sympathy for the Sub Postmasters!!!
At hour 4:30 Mr Stein
At hour 4:50 Miss
At hour 5:02 Miss
Educational: This video is essential viewing
Dr Paul Duckett analysis of the testimony of George Thomson, former general secretary of the National Federation of SubPostmasters (NFSP) to the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry.
What Does “Vexatious Complaints” Mean?
The term vexatious complaints refers to grievances or objections that are dismissed as unreasonable, frivolous, or made with the intention to cause disruption rather than raise genuine concerns. In official or institutional contexts, labeling a complaint as “vexatious” can be a way to delegitimize and silence the person raising it — often without fully investigating the substance of what they’re saying.
In the Post Office scandal, this label was used to discredit Subpostmasters who raised valid concerns about errors in the Horizon IT system. Instead of being taken seriously, their warnings were brushed aside as troublesome or disruptive — reinforcing a culture of denial, and allowing the injustice to continue.
A beautiful connection! The line from Desiderata is:
“Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.”
In that poetic sense, “vexations” refers to things that disturb your inner peace — irritations, emotional disruptions, spiritual noise.
But when institutions use “vexatious” to describe people or complaints, the meaning shifts. It becomes a bureaucratic label, often used to discredit or ignore individuals who are raising uncomfortable truths. That’s exactly what Dr. Paul Duckett critiques: how the Post Office used the language of formal procedure to dismiss the pain and warnings of Subpostmasters.
So in a way, Desiderata reminds us of the original emotional/spiritual impact of vexation, while Duckett shows us how that language gets turned into a tool of institutional avoidance.
Wat betekent “vexatious complaints”?
De term vexatious complaints (kwaadwillige of hinderlijke klachten) verwijst naar klachten die worden afgedaan als onredelijk, ongegrond of puur bedoeld om overlast te veroorzaken. In een institutionele context wordt het vaak gebruikt als label om mensen het zwijgen op te leggen die wél terechte zorgen uiten. Door een klacht als “vexatious” te bestempelen, hoeft een organisatie zich er niet serieus mee bezig te houden — en zo wordt de klager zelf het probleem, in plaats van het probleem dat hij of zij aankaart.
In het Post Office-schandaal werd dit begrip gebruikt om Subpostmasters in diskrediet te brengen. In plaats van hun zorgen over fouten in het Horizon-IT-systeem serieus te nemen, werden ze weggezet als lastig of storend. Zo bleef de cultuur van ontkenning en onrecht in stand.
Een verwijzing naar Desiderata
De uitdrukking vexatious komt ook voor in het wereldberoemde gedicht Desiderata, waarin staat:
“Vermijd luidruchtige en agressieve mensen, zij zijn een kwelling voor de geest.”
(“Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.”)
Hier verwijst vexations naar wat je innerlijke rust verstoort — emotionele onrust, spirituele onbalans. Het is een poëtisch gebruik dat laat zien hoe kwetsbaar onze geest is voor negatieve invloeden.
Maar in het geval van het Post Office werd datzelfde woord door de instelling gebruikt om eerlijke klachten af te doen als ongewenst. Wat ooit een waarschuwing was tegen geestelijke onrust, werd zo een instrument van institutionele onderdrukking.
Post Office Horizon Inquiry LIVE: Former general secretary George Thomson gives evidence
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Post Office Horizon IT inquiry continues
The inquiry will hear from George Thomson, former general secretary of the National Federation of Subpostmasters.
Thoughts on the Post Office Inquiry appearance of George Thompson NFSP 2007 – 2018
22 jun 2024 DARLINGTON
The public inquiry got a shock yesterday when George Thompson, the former General Secretary of the National Federation of Subpostmasters (2007 – 2018) , appeared to give evidence. Going completely against the grain of the inquiry so far he openly criticized Sir Alan Bates and ROBUSTLY defended both the Horizon system, and his own position, in the face of questioning from Julian Blake (Counsel for the Inquiry).
Educational
Customers Eat Bull Penis! – Just For Laughs Gags
5 jun 2016
You’d be surprised at all the benefits you’d get by eating a bull’s penis. Okay we can’t think of any because we’re not even sure it’s edible, but why not try it?