A Norfolk MP has claimed the Post Office "stole" hundreds of millions of pounds during the Horizon IT scandal - and has called for the true figure to be revealed.
The Horizon scandal has been described as the most widespread miscarriage of justice in UK history as more than 700 Post Office branch managers were prosecuted after faulty Fujitsu accounting software made it appear they had taken money from their businesses.
North Norfolk MP Duncan Baker, a former sub-postmaster in Aylsham and Holt, has called for the Post Office to reveal how much it took from those wrongly convicted.
“One question that has never been answered is just how much money was taken unlawfully from thousands of innocent men and women," Mr Baker said, speaking in Parliament on Wednesday.
“The Post Office took that money - we have never known that figure.
“Even the most basic accountant knows that it will run into hundreds of millions of pounds. So could the minister find out from the Post Office, force them to publish, just the grand scale of how much money they stole from people?”
READ MORE: Post Office 'behaved monstrously' says sub-postmaster convicted of theft in scandal
Between 1999 and 2015, 736 people were prosecuted for theft, fraud and false accounting, but just 93 convictions have been overturned.
READ MORE: Former Norfolk MP defends ex-Post Office boss Paula Vennells amid scandal
Post Office minister Kevin Hollinrake replied to Mr Baker: “The money was taken, somebody must have noticed that money.
"You’d think the finance department would have noticed that money - you’d think auditors would have noticed that money.
“I will endeavour to find out the number, I don’t have a number.”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has now said the government will bring in a new law to "swiftly exonerate and compensate victims" of the scandal.
Victims will be able to sign a form to say they are innocent to have their convictions overturned and claim compensation.
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