Ben Foat tells inquiry into Horizon IT scandal that issue had been ‘whipped up’ by former chair Henry Staunton

The Post Office’s legal chief has denied he ever regarded branch operators as “guilty until proven innocent”, as had been alleged in an internal email written by a former chair, the inquiry into the Horizon IT scandal has heard.

Ben Foat, the general counsel at the Post Office who has been on leave due to a combination of ill health and preparation for his appearance at the public inquiry, said the issue had been “whipped up” by Henry Staunton.