SNP calls for Lib Dem leader Ed Davey to hand back knighthood in wake of Horizon scandal

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The SNP has called on Ed Davey to hand back his knighthood in the wake of the Horizon scandal.The Liberal Democrat leader was UK postal affairs minister in the coalition government from 2010 to 2012.He was then awarded a knighthood for "political and public service" in 2015.Davey has been accused of having turned down a meeting with campaigner and former sub-postmaster Alan Bates while he fought for justice for postal workers.Bates said Davey's response to his concerns was "disappointing" and "offensive".But the Lib Dem leader refused to apologise for his role in the scandal and claimed that the Post Office lied to him on an “industrial scale”.The SNP said those who were involved in the scandal and subsequent cover-up must take responsibility and face consequences.It comes after former Post Office managing director Paula Vennells handed back her CBE over her involvement.It is estimated that more than 700 people across the UK were wrongly prosecuted by the Post Office between 2000 and 2014 as a result of the faulty Horizon system installed by IT giant Fujitsu.Many people went bankrupt, others went to prison and four suicides have been linked to the scandal.Most of those affected are still waiting on final compensation from the UK Government.

The scandal has been described as one of the biggest miscarriages of justice in the history of the UK.It has gained more prominence recently due to the ITV drama Mr Banks vs The Post Office.SNP MP for East Dunbartonshire Amy Callaghan said it would be "entirely inappropriate" for Davey to retain the honour given the questions surrounding his involvement in the scandal.Callaghan said: “It would be entirely inappropriate for Ed Davey to retain his knighthood given the questions