Justice Denied: Betty Brown Stands Firm Against Unfair Compensation in Post Office Scandal

Betty Brown, the oldest surviving victim of the Post Office Horizon scandal, continues to fight for justice after rejecting an increased compensation offer, stating it is still “not good enough”. At 92 years old, she received a revised offer of 60%, up from her original claim that was less than a third of what she was entitled to. This adjustment still pales in comparison to the full compensation that experts suggested she should receive.

The Horizon IT system incorrectly indicated that money was missing from Betty’s branch in County Durham, leading to her being forced to sell her post office at a loss and driving her to use her life savings to cover non-existent shortfalls. This scandal has been classified as one of the UK’s widest miscarriages of justice, affecting over 900 sub-postmasters, many of whom faced wrongful accusations and criminal prosecutions.

In a heartfelt statement to the BBC, Betty described how the scandal “absolutely destroyed my whole life” and expressed her disappointment that her long wait—for 26 years—for reparations is still ongoing. She is part of a group that initially included 555 victims who pursued legal action against the Post Office.

Despite having received £892 million in total compensation to over 6,200 claimants through various schemes, the slow pace of payouts has drawn criticism from MPs who argue that victims like Betty are being “fobbed off” and not receiving swift justice. Post Office Minister Gareth Thomas, during an appearance on BBC’s Newsnight, acknowledged the frustration surrounding the compensation process while promising that the government would work to resolve disputes fairly and transparently.

As Betty continues her quest for full justice, the challenges she faces reflect broader issues of fairness and accountability in the compensation process for other victims also caught in the scandal.