Post Office set targets for recovering cash from operators accused in Horizon scandal

Inquiry hears that investigators were set rising targets linked to their bonuses for clawing back supposed losses

Targets set by the Post Office suggested it was prioritising clawing back money from branch operators accused of financial irregularities due to the organisation’s discredited IT system, the Horizon inquiry has heard.

Former investigator Robert Daily told the inquiry that increasing the target for recovering cash, which was among the performance indicators linked to investigators’ bonuses, from 40% to 65% was instructive when considering the Post Office’s motives for pursuing post office operators. However, he said it did not influence individual investigators.