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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Harriet Sherwood

Top lawyer urges MPs to review private prosecutions after Post Office scandal

The village shop and Post Office in South Warnborough, Hampshire
About 3,500 postmasters were accused of theft, fraud and false accounting, and more than 700 prosecuted in cases brought by the Post Office. Photograph: Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images

Parliament should consider formal regulation of the growing practice of private prosecutions to ensure the power is not abused, the chair of the Bar Council has said.

Sam Townend KC said a review of private prosecutions should be launched in response to the Post Office scandal, in which about 3,500 postmasters were accused of theft, fraud and false accounting, and more than 700 prosecuted in cases brought by the organisation.

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