Mr Bates ‘has a plan’
Mr Bates vs the Post Office took home three awards at last night’s National Television Awards as the ITV drama was recognised for its impact in bringing about change in the post office scandal.
The show, which aired in January of this year, chronicled the true story of the post office scandal which saw more than 700 sub postmasters wrongly convicted of stealing from the company between 1999 and 2015.
The drama picked up the Impact award after it proved a catalyst for change and brought the scandal back into the public eye.
The cast, including Julie Hesmondhalgh and Toby Jones who also won the award for Best Drama Performance, took to the stage to collect the award alongside some of the real-life people they portrayed.
Jo Hamilton who was played by Monica Dolan in the drama had prepared a speech which contained a revelation that shocked the star-studded audience.
She thanked the public for their help before saying ‘nothing has changed’ under the new labour government.
The audience erupted in boos as she continued: “I want to say thank you to all of my colleagues who are behind me, and without strength in numbers we wouldn’t have got to where we are.
“And the public got right behind us and changed, literally changed, everything. What I would like you to know is I went to Westminster a couple of weeks back and say the new Minister. And trust me, nothing has changed.”
Hamilton revealed that Alan Bates had only been offered 30 per cent of what he is trying to claim.
As the camera panned around, the audience was visibly shocked and outraged by the news.
Hamilton continued: “It’s true. And almost all of these people behind me haven’t been paid yet.
“Out of a group of 555, more than 300 haven’t been paid yet including Sir Alan Bates.”
However, she ended her acceptance speech with rejuvenated hope as she said: “But he has a plan. So, when he gets back to the nation for help, please be there to support him. Thank you.”
Fans flocked to social media to share their outrage. One fan said: “The Impact award on the #NationalTelevisionAwards could only go to #MrBatesvThePostOffice but the biggest impact must now follow, with interest, to repay *and* compensate the former sub-postmasters. Jo was without a doubt the star of the NTAs. Time for action @LabourGov”
The Impact award on the #NationalTelevisionAwards could only go to #MrBatesvThePostOffice but the biggest impact must now follow, with interest, to repay *and* compensate the former sub-postmasters.
— Fionka (@Fi_onka) September 11, 2024
Jo was without a doubt the star of the NTAs.
⏰ Time for action @LabourGov
Another wrote: “I’m disgusted to hear that some of the sub-postmasters/mistresses STILL haven’t been paid.”
A third said: “Thrilled Mr Bates v Post Office won so many awards, at last the general public have mainly ignored the non-deservers. Devastating though that the sub-postmasters have STILL for the main NOT received their compensation. Sir Alan Bates himself only offered 30% of what he is owed.”
Following the broadcast of the drama, the government set out to exonerate and compensate those affected by the Horizon IT scandal.
Several workers tried to pay back the ‘missing’ money out of their own pockets, but many were convicted of theft, went into debt and lost their homes.
Four sub postmasters took their own lives due to the scandal while 236 went to prison. Many others died before getting justice.
The four-part miniseries also took home the award for Best New Drama beating the likes of Baby Reindeer and Red Eye.
Mr Bates vs the Post Office averaged 14.7 million viewers across the series with the finale reaching 15.1 million viewers. It is ITV’s biggest drama in 22 years and has been streamed over 25 million times.
Post Office Minister Gareth Thomas told JOE: “I continue to meet postmasters affected by this scandal, and am working with them so they get the redress they deserve.
“Since July we have taken swift action to launch the new Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme and announced a new appeals process in the Horizon Shortfall Scheme. I have also spoken to the National Federation of SubPostmasters and the Voice of the Postmaster group this month to update on our progress and to discuss the future.
“Almost £290 million has been paid to over 2,800 claimants across four compensation schemes, but we know there is more to be done, and we are committed to ensuring every postmaster receives full and fair redress as quickly as possible.”
