Mon Nov 04 08:50:00 UTC 2024: ## Fujitsu Wins Millions in Public Contracts Despite Post Office Scandal Pledge
**London, UK** – Fujitsu, the technology company at the heart of the Post Office scandal, has been awarded £1.4 million in public sector contracts since pledging to stop bidding for them in January. This comes despite the company’s commitment to halt all new bids until the Post Office inquiry has concluded.
Fujitsu’s commitment did not cover existing contracts or any potential government requests for their services. According to data from Tussell, a government procurement data provider, Fujitsu has secured six new contracts since January, including a £213,038 deal with the Ministry of Defence and a £11,472 contract with Lincolnshire’s police and crime commissioner.
This news has sparked outrage, particularly considering that over 900 Post Office branch managers were wrongly convicted of crimes based on faulty data from Fujitsu’s Horizon software. The scandal, dubbed the biggest miscarriage of justice in UK history, has led to a major public inquiry and left hundreds of subpostmasters with criminal records and prison sentences.
Richard Trinder, chair of the campaign group Voice of the Postmaster, called it “criminal” that Fujitsu is still awarded government contracts. He believes the company should pay compensation to the victims, potentially half of the £1.8 billion the UK government has allocated for their support.
A government spokesperson stated that while they are holding those responsible for the Horizon scandal accountable, further action will have to wait for the inquiry’s conclusion. They also pointed out that Fujitsu sets its own boundaries for public contracts, and their conduct and commercial performance are under review.
Despite the ongoing controversy, Fujitsu currently holds 33 public sector contracts worth approximately £4.5 billion over their lifetime. The company has been approached for comment.
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