Whistleblower reveals class, race, and gender divide in Post Office leadership

In January 2023, Henry Staunton, the former chairman of the Post Office in the UK, testified at a public inquiry regarding the organization's internal culture and the handling of the Horizon IT scandal. He revealed that a whistleblower had raised serious concerns about a class, race, and gender divide within the leadership, highlighting a lack of diversity among executives. Staunton acknowledged the existence of a cultural problem, admitting that comments about 'jobs for the boys' were prevalent and that the organization had failed to adequately address the wrongful prosecutions of postmasters. He expressed horror at the Post Office's continued insistence on the guilt of many postmasters despite evidence to the contrary. The inquiry also uncovered issues related to the escalating costs of the Horizon IT system, which had surged from over £300 million to more than £800 million. Staunton was shocked by this financial mismanagement and claimed that the Chief Information Officer misled the board regarding project costs and timelines. He emphasized that the organization did not fully accept the judicial findings that exonerated many postmasters, indicating a deep-seated resistance to change within the Post Office. Staunton's dismissal by former business secretary Kemi Badenoch was linked to ongoing investigations into his conduct. He defended himself against accusations of racism, asserting that he had advocated for greater diversity on the board. The inquiry revealed a troubling culture within the Post Office that prioritized maintaining the status quo over addressing systemic issues of inequality and injustice.