Post Office workers to have convictions quashed thanks to Scottish Government Bill

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Holyrood has passed "unprecedented" legislation to exonerate subpostmasters in Scotland who were wrongly convicted as part of the Post Office Horizon scandal.Justice Secretary Angela Constance said the Bill, passed by 116 votes to zero at Holyrood on Thursday, will "address the horrific miscarriage of justice that has ruined the lives of many".She told MSPs the Post Office (Horizon System) Offences (Scotland) Bill will "help Scottish subpostmasters clear their names" and also ensure they are treated in the same way as other Horizon victims in different parts of the UK.Constance said: "Through this Bill, we are ensuring that Scottish subpostmasters are not disadvantaged compared to those in the rest of the UK in respect of the quashing of their convictions, and that they are able to access the UK Government compensation scheme." The Bill means those convicted of "relevant offences" will have them automatically quashed when the legislation comes into force.Constance said for an offence to be considered "relevant", the time it took place and the type of crime would be considered.The person convicted would need to have been working in a Post Office at the time, and the conviction would need to be connected to Post Office business.Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.We also treat our community