A former sub-postmaster is fighting for justice after being told to pay back missing cash totalling more than £40,000.
David Bristow, who ran Odiham Post Office on the High Street, is among 63 postmasters around the country contesting claims by Post Office Ltd for sums it says are still outstanding.
Mr Bristow took over Odiham Post Office as a franchisee in December 2006 after selling his father’s business in Bracknell.
But in 2008 he lost the franchise after failing to account for £42,000 the Post Office said he owed.
While he admits some cash was lost through mistakes, Mr Bristow has accused the Post Office of providing poor training and alleged that the company’s internal accounting system, Horizon, is to blame.
The 59-year-old said: “I was inexperienced and had inadequate training. My first few months were tough and demanding. It was a baptism of fire.
“I was told that I would be given help and assistance, but at my time in the post office I was let down and was not given the back-up I needed.
“They say the figures are not clear, which I dispute. The Post Office simply cannot justify to me the amount they say that I owe them.”
The Post Office denies allegations that its training or Horizon computer system is at fault.
In a statement, Post Office Ltd insisted the Horizon computer system and all accounting processes are accurate and reliable at all times.
A Post Office spokesperson said: “The Horizon system has been subjected to full, independently-assured, robust testing procedures.
“The Horizon information security processes meet the relevant industry standards, which apply to such organisations as banks and building societies.
“Sub-postmasters are given fully appropriate training, typically including classroom training and a further time on site under close supervision and guidance from a Post Office manager.
“Sub-postmasters can also ring a dedicated helpline for advice.”
Horizon has been used in the company’s 11,500 branches for more than 10 years and the National Federation of Sub-postmasters has said it is confident in the system.
But Mr Bristow will continue his fight for justice.
The former prison officer said: “I have lived a completely honest life and I would welcome anyone to analyse my personal savings and business accounts.
“I am very angry. It could have affected my personal life if I had allowed it to.”
Mr Bristow still works at Odiham Post Office, running a dry cleaning and stationery business on the premises.
The post office section at the back of the building is now run by another postmaster.
On February 2, Access Legal from Shoosmiths in Basing View, Basingstoke, announced it will take legal action against the Post Office on behalf of the postmasters.
Head of legal disputes Amanda Glover said: “All the postmasters and postmistresses say they’ve done nothing wrong, and that it’s all down to problems with the Post Office accounting system.
“They all say they’ve not taken any money, and whilst the Post Office says there’s nothing wrong with Horizon it appears to record people using it when they are not even logged on.
“One post office even recorded a loss when it was closed.”
Ms Glover said some postmasters are paying back missing amounts to avoid prosecution. The most common amount is around £35,000.
