Ministers deny claims government wanted to stall Post Office Horizon scandal payouts

Henry Staunton said the request appeared to be an attempt to reduce the government’s financial liability before the general election. Photograph: Sky News video grab

Ministers have denied claims by the former Post Office chair that the government wanted to stall compensation payouts to victims of the Horizon scandal so the Conservatives could “limp into” the general election.

Henry Staunton, who was sacked last month by the business secretary, Kemi Badenoch, amid anger over the Horizon scandal, said the request came soon after he took up the role in December 2022.