Tory ministers accused of 'betraying' Scots sub-postmasters caught up in Horizon scandal

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Tory ministers have been accused of "betraying" sub-postmasters in Scotland caught up in the Horizon scandal.Angela Constance, the Justice Secretary, lashed out at the UK Government today after it was announced legislation to offer blanket pardons to Horizon victims would be extended to cover Northern Ireland - but not Scotland.The Scottish Government is planning to bring forward its own legislation to exonerate sub-postmasters who were wrongly convicted because of faulty software.But SNP ministers have faced pushback from the Crown Office which has argued each case must be considered individually.Constance met with Post Office minister Kevin Hollinrake last month to press the benefits of UK-wide legislation.It comes after around 100 Post Office sub-postmasters in Scotland were amongst those convicted after being wrongly accused of embezzling money.The UK Government’s Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Bill was originally planned to clear the name of those affected in England and Wales, but will also now be extended to cover Northern Ireland.Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris said that the “legislation will deliver for those affected in NI as quickly as possible”.Hollinrake said the UK Government was extending the remit of the legislation, because the “significant and unique challenges” the recently restored administration there would face in bringing forward legislation at an “expedited pace”.He added: "It remains the UK Government’s view that it is more appropriate for the Scottish Government to bring forward proposals to address prosecutions on this matter in Scotland, and for these to be scrutinised by the Scottish Parliament.”While the minister insisted the UK Government would “continue to support”