Fujitsu’s faulty Horizon software led to the wrongful prosecution of hundreds of subpostmasters for theft and false accounting.
Sir Alan told The i Paper: “I think it’s a bit mad at the moment until things are resolved with Fujitsu over the Post Office issues.
Former sub-postmaster and lead campaigner Alan Bates giving evidence to phase four of the inquiry at Aldwych House (Photo: Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry/PA Wire)
“I don’t understand why they’re not looking at other companies to take this work on.
The year-long extension covers the contract to run its Trader Support Service (TSS), the Government’s main post-Brexit scheme for helping traders move goods from the British mainland to Northern Ireland.
In January 2024, Fujitsu announced it would voluntarily pause bidding for new government contracts until the Post Office scandal inquiry was complete.
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Read MoreBut in November, the firm’s European chief executive Paul Patterson told the inquiry there had been no discussion of how much Fujitsu should contribute.
“But what have they actually done? Nothing.”
Lord Arbuthnot, who campaigned for the wrongly convicted subpostmasters, said the TSS extension sent a message to Fujitsu that the country doesn’t care about its “unethical behaviour”.
“Third, it suggests that the Government is uncomfortably dependent on Fujitsu. And fourth, it ignores the fact that Fujitsu’s capability on this contract may be no better than their Post Office capability.”
The firm was also granted access to priority lanes to win hundreds of millions of pounds in Government contracts despite concerns over Horizon.
A spokesperson said: “This service has provided vital support for almost 60,000 traders moving goods under the Windsor Framework, enabling them to follow the correct processes without the need to purchase specialist software, saving them significant time and money.
A Fujitsu spokesperson said: “We are working with the UK Government to ensure we adhere to the voluntary restrictions we put in place regarding bidding for new contracts while the Post Office Inquiry is ongoing.
“Based on the findings of the inquiry, we will work with Government on the appropriate actions, including contribution to compensation. We continue to offer our deepest apologies to the sub-postmasters and their families.”
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