Overview
- Paul Patterson told the Commons business and trade committee that Fujitsu will set a redress amount only after Sir Wyn Williams publishes the inquiry’s final report, and he confirmed no provision has been set aside in the company’s accounts.
- Liam Byrne accused Fujitsu of behaving like a parasite on the state, as Patterson said existing UK government contracts total about £500m if not terminated and that the company would walk away if asked.
- Patterson said Fujitsu has not bid for new UK public contracts since informing the Cabinet Office of that stance in January 2023.
- Government figures show £1.32bn has been paid to more than 10,000 claimants so far, with the total taxpayer bill estimated at about £1.8bn.
- Patterson reaffirmed that Horizon contained bugs from the start and that staff could remotely access and alter data used in prosecutions, as separate 2013 emails show senior executives downplayed early media reports and deferred comment to the Post Office.