The first volume of the Horizon inquiry’s final report has been published today (8 July 2025) focussing on the devastating impact on the lives of the scandal’s victims and the compensation process.
Between 1999 and 2015 more than 900 subpostmasters were wrongfully prosecuted in what has been called the worst miscarriage of justice in British legal history.
Many were wrongly convicted of crimes such as theft and false accounting after faulty Horizon software made it look as though money was missing from their accounts.
BCS and other organisations have called for a review of the legal presumption of the accuracy of computer evidence in the justice system; the Ministry of Justice launched a call for evidence this year.
Professional standards need renewed focus
Sharron Gunn, Chief Executive of BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT said after the publication of the report: “There will be another Horizon tragedy, unless everyone responsible for the development, leadership and governance of technology is accountable to professional standards with real clout.
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“That includes ensuring that CEOs and boards, who are often without technical backgrounds, understand the complex issues around IT and its implementation, particularly the ethical ones.
“Horizon wasn’t a self-aware AI, acting alone. Its flaws devastated lives because of a lack of professional behaviours and understanding, at many levels and across many fields, from technology to law to management.
“Apart from the software failure, issues of computer evidence being assumed correct in law; the need for better training for expert witnesses; lack of mature culture of whistleblowing and meaningful codes of conduct, all came to the surface.
“Professional bodies across the spectrum will be reading this report in detail and working together to help rebuild trust in the services the public depends on. This is even more critical with AI, where the decisions we take now will determine how much it benefits society.
“Our thoughts remain with all those who are still seeking clarity and redress and we hope today’s report is a step towards that.”
