Success for Mr Bates as Post Office boss hands back CBE after ITV drama

ok.co.uk:

ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office angered viewers who were horrified to learn the true extent of the Horizon scandal. Many were even more infuriated to learn former head of the Post Office, Paula Vennells, was awarded a CBE.

More than 1.2 million people signed a petition urging the government to strip her of the award. But now she has returned the CBE herself and apologised for the pain and devastation the Horizon scandal caused. "I have so far maintained my silence as I considered it inappropriate to comment publicly while the Inquiry remains ongoing and before I have provided my oral evidence. “I am, however, aware of the calls from subpostmasters and others to return my CBE.

I have listened and I confirm that I return my CBE with immediate effect. “I am truly sorry for the devastation caused to the sub-postmasters and their families, whose lives were torn apart by being wrongly accused and wrongly prosecuted as a result of the Horizon system.” It comes just one day after the real-life Mr Bates appeared on This Morning and insisted Ms Vennells step down and hand back her CBE.

Alan told hosts Josie Gibson and Craig Doyle: "As far as Paula Vennells CBE goes, well we had one million people who have signed up to the petition [to strip her of her CBE] in just a matter of days and I think the question has got to be asked, who actually put her up for that CBE in the first instance?" Alan himself turned down an honour, explaining: "It felt a bit of a slap in the face whilst Paula Vennells had her CBE for services to Post Office.