Page Description
Explore the concept of ‘Hollowing out justice,’
uncovering how systemic issues
and legal erosion impact fairness and equity in society.
“Hollowing out justice” suggests a process where the essential principles or integrity of justice are gradually eroded or undermined over time. This could occur due to various factors such as legal loopholes, systemic biases, inadequate enforcement, or erosion of public trust in the justice system. The term implies that while the structures of justice may still exist, their effectiveness or moral core has been compromised, leading to concerns about fairness, equity, and the rule of law.
Legal Erosion: Discussing how legal protections or standards may have been weakened or diluted over time, impacting access to justice for vulnerable groups.
Systemic Issues: Addressing structural inequalities or biases within legal frameworks that contribute to unequal outcomes.
Public Perception: Examining how public trust in legal institutions may have declined due to perceived injustices or lack of accountability.
Reforms and Solutions: Exploring potential reforms or strategies to strengthen justice systems and restore public confidence.
Post Office Inquiry: former postal affairs minister challenged over failure to listen to victims
18 jul 2024
Former postal affairs minister Pat McFadden has told the Horizon IT inquiry “of course I wish I had done more” to ask the Post Office if the faulty system was “as robust as they suggested”.
The Labour MP and current Chancellor for the Duchy of Lancaster urged the probe not to recommend making ministers “shadow chief executives” to prevent the bosses of state-owned companies going “rogue” following the scandal.
Mr McFadden instead said it was worth considering the implementation of an independent body “that can be called in to launch an inquiry or take action when the level of allegations reaches such a point that it looks like that is the right thing to do”.
He said ministers “do not intervene in court judgments and cannot overturn court verdicts” after telling the probe the company’s actions resulted in “innocent people being convicted”.
Mr McFadden, who was postal affairs minister between 2007 and 2009, said he does not believe he spoke to then business secretary John Hutton about allegations made by subpostmasters about the integrity of the faulty system.
He told the inquiry that the “ultimate responsibility” for a state-owned company such as the Post Office lies “with the Government”, but said he does not recall officials telling him that “they thought a miscarriage of justice was under way”.
The Labour MP for Wolverhampton South East said he was first made aware that the Post Office was prosecuting subpostmasters for alleged shortfalls at their branches in February 2009.
Watch again: Former Post Office minister Ed Davey questioned at inquiry
18 jul 2024
Watch again as Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey spoke to the Post Office inquiry.
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‘A Complete Travesty!’ Sir Ed Davey Grilled At Horizon Post Office Inquiry
18 jul 2024
Sir Ed Davey has told the Horizon Post Office inquiry that he was ‘not aware’ that the Post Office was prosecuting sub-postmasters whilst he was postal affairs Minister.
Davey argued that it was not his role as minister to get involved in the day-to-day running of the Post Office, and his focus in cabinet was to ensure there were no more closures of post offices and to maintain the network.
The leader of the Liberal Democrats is being crossed examined by Jason Beer KC.
Credit: Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry
‘A Complete Travesty!’ Sir Ed Davey Grilled At Horizon Post Office Inquiry
18 jul 2024
Credit: Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry
Lib Dem leader & former postal affairs Minister Sir Ed Davey has faced questioning at the Post Office inquiry over his role in the Horizon IT scandal.
After being cross examined by Jason Beer KC, Tim Moloney KC, representing convicted sub-postmasters grills the politician.
Mr Moloney presents Davey with a letter written by him appearing to misrepresent the case of a convicted sub-postmaster Mrs Henderson. Ed Davey agrees with the sentiment and apologises.
Post Office Inquiry: Ed Davey apologises for ‘poorly judged’ decision not to meet with Alan Bates
18 jul 2024
Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey has apologised for his “poorly judged” and “terse” refusal to meet campaigner Sir Alan Bates for five months during his time as postal affairs minister.
Sir Ed, who was in the role between 2010 and 2012, said he dismissed the meeting proposal because he “followed the advice and did not question it”.
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Following a letter from Sir Alan in which he told Sir Ed that the Post Office was acting as “judge, jury and executioner”, the MP for Kingston and Surbiton replied by saying: “I do not believe a meeting would serve any useful purpose”.
He denied that he eventually met Sir Alan in October 2010 due to “presentational reasons” despite a briefing note prepared ahead of the meeting suggesting it was a consideration.
Labour minister grilled over knowledge of Post Office Horizon scandal
Former postal affairs minister and current Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden gives evidence to the Post Office Inquiry.
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey ‘pretty angry about lies told by Post Office’
Ed Davey admits regret at not meeting Alan Bates sooner | LBC
1 feb 2024
In light of the ongoing controversy and recent broadcasts shedding light on the Post Office scandal, James O’Brien hears from former postal minister and Liberal Democrats Leader, Sir Ed Davey, who apologies for his role in the scandal.
Davey admits his regret at not meeting Alan Bates earlier and concedes he failed to uncover lies from the Post Office, specifically regarding the Horizon Computer System and remote access capabilities.
This apology comes after Bates described his compensation offer from the government as “cruel” and “offensive” – stressing that it’s only “around a sixth” of what he requested.
Paula Vennells lied to me, says Sir Ed Davey during Post Office Inquiry
18 jul 2024
Sir Ed #Davey said he was repeatedly lied to by Post Office senior executives including former boss Paula Vennells and David Smith, former managing director.
In his witness statement, the Liberal Democrat leader referred to being “seriously misled” and said on multiple occasions that he was lied to by senior officials within the courier.
He told the Post Office Inquiry on Thursday: “It is pretty clear what they told my officials was not true.”
Asked by lead counsel Jason Beer KC on the identities of the senior executives in question, Sir Ed said: “Well the senior executives I dealt with were David Smith and then Paula Vennells – there may have been one or two others.
“They were the ones giving information to my officials and then to me, so they were the people passing information that was untrue.”
Post Office inquiry: Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey says he was lied to by senior executives
19 jul 2024
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, who was postal affairs minister from 2010 to 2012, gave evidence to the inquiry established to investigate the Post Office’s wrongful prosecution of more than 700 sub-postmasters.
Mr Davey said he had been lied to by the Post Office and named specific individuals – former managing director David Smith and ex-chief executive Paula Vennells.
Umbrella Ladies Man
16 mei 2011
Nice old man is standing in the park in the rain, and over his umbrella to some girls walking by, but he quickly he forgets all about them when a hot blonde girl – with a much bigger umbrella – walks by. This guy is an opportunist and has no problem leaving the other girls to get soaking wet in the rain. That is, until one sneaky girl runs up to take his umbrella back!
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