Fujitsu's Boss Fires Back at MPs Over Horizon IT Scandal Compensation Claim
In a tense exchange with lawmakers, Fujitsu's European boss, Paul Patterson, denied his company was "a parasite" on the British state, despite making hundreds of millions of pounds from UK government contracts while refusing to provide a financial redress figure for victims of the Post Office Horizon IT scandal.
Patterson, who had previously acknowledged that Fujitsu had a "moral obligation" to pay compensation to those affected by the faulty accounting system, which led to the wrongful prosecution of over 1,000 subpostmasters, claimed that his company's continued involvement in government contracts was not parasitic. He argued that if he were to walk away from these lucrative deals, it would be detrimental to society and the UK government.
However, Labour MP Liam Byrne accused Fujitsu of "behaving like a parasite" for continuing to reap millions from government IT contracts while refusing to commit to providing financial redress for its role in the scandal. The scandal has been described as one of the worst miscarriages of justice in UK history, with over 13 suicides linked to the fallout.
Fujitsu's continued involvement in the Horizon system, which is still being used by the Post Office despite its widespread criticism, has raised concerns about accountability and transparency. Patterson claimed that his company would work out a compensation figure for victims once the final report of the public inquiry into the scandal was published, but critics argue that this delay undermines efforts to provide justice and closure to those affected.
The UK government has so far paid out £1.32 billion to over 10,000 claimants, with many more still awaiting redress. As the investigation into the Horizon scandal continues, it remains to be seen whether Fujitsu will finally take responsibility for its role in this devastating scandal and provide fair compensation to those affected.
In a tense exchange with lawmakers, Fujitsu's European boss, Paul Patterson, denied his company was "a parasite" on the British state, despite making hundreds of millions of pounds from UK government contracts while refusing to provide a financial redress figure for victims of the Post Office Horizon IT scandal.
Patterson, who had previously acknowledged that Fujitsu had a "moral obligation" to pay compensation to those affected by the faulty accounting system, which led to the wrongful prosecution of over 1,000 subpostmasters, claimed that his company's continued involvement in government contracts was not parasitic. He argued that if he were to walk away from these lucrative deals, it would be detrimental to society and the UK government.
However, Labour MP Liam Byrne accused Fujitsu of "behaving like a parasite" for continuing to reap millions from government IT contracts while refusing to commit to providing financial redress for its role in the scandal. The scandal has been described as one of the worst miscarriages of justice in UK history, with over 13 suicides linked to the fallout.
Fujitsu's continued involvement in the Horizon system, which is still being used by the Post Office despite its widespread criticism, has raised concerns about accountability and transparency. Patterson claimed that his company would work out a compensation figure for victims once the final report of the public inquiry into the scandal was published, but critics argue that this delay undermines efforts to provide justice and closure to those affected.
The UK government has so far paid out £1.32 billion to over 10,000 claimants, with many more still awaiting redress. As the investigation into the Horizon scandal continues, it remains to be seen whether Fujitsu will finally take responsibility for its role in this devastating scandal and provide fair compensation to those affected.
I don't think Paul Patterson's "we're not a parasite" excuse holds up... I mean, hundreds of millions from UK contracts? That's some serious coin 
And now he's saying walking away would be bad for society? Come on! Fujitsu gets to reap the benefits while the Post Office is still getting hammered with this scandal. It's all about timing, man... if they want to do the right thing, why wait till the final report is out? That just seems like a PR stunt 
to me.
THEY'RE MAKING HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS FROM UK GOVT CONTRACTS WHILE REFUSING TO HELP THOSE AFFECTED BY THE POST OFFICE HORizon IT SCANDAL!!! 
IT'S NOT PARASITIC, IT'S JUST BAD BUSINESS PRACTICES!!! Paul Patterson needs to get his act together and commit to providing fair compensation to those affected. The fact that he's making excuses about walking away from government contracts is just pathetic 
. THE UK GOVT HAS ALREADY PAID OUT £1.32 BILLION TO OVER 10,000 CLAIMANTS, SO NOW IT'S FUJITSU'S TURN TO PAY UP!!! 
THIS SCANDAL IS ONE OF THE WORST IN UK HISTORY AND I HOPE FUJITSU GETS SERIOUS ABOUT MAKING THINGS RIGHT!!! 
it's like, how can you say that when ppl have lost their livelihoods and some even took their own lives because of this faulty system?! 
I think its time for Paul Patterson to step down and let someone else take responsibility for his company's actions 
why r they still profiting off a system that caused so much harm & suffering? 
#JusticeForSubpostmasters #FujitsuAccountability #HorizonScandal
. It's not like they're being "parasitic" (whatever that means), they're just using their position of power to avoid taking responsibility for their mistakes.
Patterson's moral obligation comment is laughable, how about some real action? 
Meanwhile, the victims of the Post Office scandal are still waiting for justice 
Fujitsu's boss is just trying to weasel out of taking responsibility for their mistake. I mean, £1.32 billion already paid out to victims? That's not enough, right? And now they're saying they need to see the final report before they'll consider compensation? Give me a break! 
. The fact is, Fujitsu has profited from a scandal that's caused so much harm and suffering... they need to take responsibility for their actions and start paying out fair compensation 
.
It's a shame that Fujitsu is still clinging to their lucrative government contracts, especially when they have a moral obligation to compensate the victims of the Horizon IT scandal. The delay in providing a financial redress figure only adds insult to injury, leaving many more people still waiting for justice and closure. The UK government has already paid out £1.32 billion, but it's not just about throwing money at the problem - it's about holding companies accountable for their actions and ensuring that those affected receive fair compensation. 
. If he genuinely cared about making things right, he'd be working with MPs and gov to find a solution ASAP, not just waiting for some report to come out 
. The whole thing is just so frustrating... 13 suicides linked to this scandal? Unbelievable 
.
. THE FACT THAT PAUL PATTerson IS ARGUING THAT HE CAN'T JUST UP AND LEAVE BECAUSE IT WOULD BE DETERMINANT TO SOCIETY?! GIVE ME A BREAK! 
... meanwhile, the UK government is still trying to figure out how to provide justice and closure for those affected. I guess it's not about being a "parasite", but more about being a "profit-guzzling, accountability-avoiding" company 
Those subpostmasters have been through enough, it's time for someone to take responsibility and make things right. The public inquiry will come out soon, let's hope Patterson finally takes a stand and shows some accountability 
. The UK government is already shelling out a ton of cash and it's time for Fujitsu to step up and contribute something meaningful 
. It's just not right that they get to keep raking it in while the victims are still waiting for justice and compensation 
. The fact that Patterson thinks walking away from these contracts would be bad for society and the UK government is just a cop-out 
.
