• Harry Goodwin

• Published: Invalid Date,

THE hero who inspired the hit ITV drama about the Post Office scandal has rejected a compensation offer - calling it "cruel".

Alan Bates said the government only offered him "around a sixth" of the compensation he had asked for.

2

Former sub-postmaster Bates has fought a two-decade battle for justice after falling victim to the Horizon IT scandal.

Dodgy Horizon accounting software made it appear as if money was missing from Post Office branches around the UK.

The faulty IT system led to the wrongful prosecution of hundreds of sub-postmasters, many of who have never been compensated.

Bates, who was forced to stop running his Post Office branch in 2003, has led the sub-postmasters' fight to clear their names.

Read More UK News

Cop who 'wore fake war medals' faces probe after 'lying about military service'

Stalker was BANNED from road where he was shot dead after wielding crossbow

His story inspired the ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office, which spurred a belated public outcry over the scandal.

The government has vowed to give sub-postmasters "full and fair compensation" - but Bates last night rejected its "derisory" offer.

He told the Telegraph: "'Full and fair' might be His Majesty’s Government’s interpretation.

"But in reality the offer is derisory, offensive and after all this time, yes, cruel.

Hamilton joins Ferrari as Merc confirm 2025 exit after triggering clause

'Chemical attacker' pictured with horrific melted face as he buys water in Tesco

Love Island lad DUMPS girl after 'night of passion' in new recoupling

Vernon Kay poses with glamorous rarely-seen daughter Phoebe, 19

"I will absolutely be turning this offer for financial redress down. It is just a terrible way to treat human beings.

"I have heard from several sub-postmasters who have received similarly derisory offers, while others are still waiting."

A government spokesman said: "We continue to appreciate the work that Mr Bates has done.

"He has campaigned for fair compensation after the miscarriage of justice suffered by so many in the Horizon IT scandal, something which we are committed to providing.

"If any applicant to the GLO scheme feels that they are owed more than is being offered, we are happy to discuss the evidence with their legal advisers.

"If we can’t agree, decisions will be made by an independent panel that includes legal and accountancy experts, who ensure fair redress based on the evidence.

"In most cases, we have agreed the amount of compensation for people from whom we have received claims.

"59 people have made claims and 44 offers have been made, proving that the majority of claims are being decided quickly.

"We continue to encourage those 400 GLO members who haven’t made a claim to come forward."

READ MORE SUN STORIES

I’m a gypsy and people think we’re wealthy but £20 makes me feel rich

Town tormented by strange humming noise - and it's getting LOUDER

Earlier this month ex-Post Office boss Paula Vennells handed back her CBE "with immediate effect" after more than one million people signed a petition.

Meanwhile, shamed investigator Gary Thomas said the Post Office paid out bonuses for every Horizon conviction - as a chief's shocking email mocking innocent victims is revealed.

2

Who is Alan Bates?

ALAN Bates took over a Post Office counter in Llandudno, North Wales in 1998.

His contract was terminated in 2003 after the faulty Horizon system said £6,000 was missing from his books.

Bates's careful record-keeping proved he was innocent - but the Post Office insisted £1,200 was still unaccounted for.

The shopkeeper lost his Post Office counter and his investment of £60,000.

Bates corralled other sub-postmasters who had been wrongly accused of helping themselves to the till.

He and 554 others took the Post Office to the High Court, where a judge ruled that Horizon was littered with "bugs, errors and defects".

The sub-postmasters were awarded £58million in a settlement with the Post Office.

But after legal costs were deducted each victim came away with a measly £20,000 on average.

Last year the government sent up a new compensation scheme called the Group Litigation Order (GLO).

An inquiry into the scandal is also underway and will wrap up in the summer.