Update on Post Office’s investigation into historical document containing racist and offensive language

Following a Freedom of Information (FOI) request for documents held by Post Office’s Security Team during the period 2008 – 2011, a document was released that contained racist and offensive language.

Post Office does not tolerate racism in any shape or form. The language and classifications used in the historical document is completely abhorrent and condemned by today’s Post Office.

Post Office established an investigation to determine how the document containing identification codes with racist descriptors came to be created; and to establish whether the codes were actively used on Post Office investigation or prosecution documentation and for what reason. Post Office has appointed a barrister to externally oversee and assure this work.

In the interests of transparency for its Postmasters, colleagues and customers, Post Office is providing an update on the investigation.

• Preliminary enquiries indicate that the document containing identification codes may have been created prior to the separation of Post Office Limited in 2012, when it was still part of the government owned Royal Mail Group. Investigation documents were likely transferred to Post Office Limited for its use.
• Historically identification codes were used by UK law enforcement to create and conduct Police National Computer record checks. All law enforcement and prosecuting authorities provided an identification code with investigative and prosecuting papers. Between 2008 (the date on the cover of the document released under FOI) and 2015, Post Office Limited brought some private criminal prosecutions in England and Wales and used identification codes in case files. Since the 2019 change of leadership, Post Office has been clear that it will never again carry out its own prosecutions.
• Post Office has begun a search of all known active and historical documents to ensure there are no other documents that may contain racist or offensive language.
• Post Office’s investigation continues into how and when descriptors containing racist and offensive language alongside ID codes was added. Post Office has and will continue to engage with the Royal Mail Group as part of this investigation.

Post Office has appointed Jeremy Scott-Joynt, a barrister from Outer Temple Chambers, as an external legal advisor to review all evidence, contribute to the direction of the investigation and assist in drafting the Final Investigation Report.

Post Office has made significant progress to ensure that its culture is inclusive with support of its Equity, Diversity and Inclusion team and networks made-up of colleagues across the business. Diverse ethnic background representation at a Senior Leadership level at Post Office stands at 11%, an improvement of 9% over the past couple of years, and Post Office has a target of 14% diverse ethnic background representation at all levels by December 2024, alongside a target of 50% female representation at all levels. For further information, visit corporate.postoffice.co.uk/en/people/diversity-and-inclusion/equity-diversity-and-inclusion-at-post-office/