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Bridlington Sub-Postmaster Responds to Fujitsu Comments

A Fujitsu Manager has apologised for the language used in an email that was sent during the prosecution that left Lee Castleton bankrupt.

The Bridlington sub postmaster who was wrongly convicted as part of the Horizon scandal has responded to emails that have emerged from Fujitsu, showing they referred to him as a "nasty chap" when he was fighting his legal case.

Lee Castleton, who ran a Post Office branch in Bridlington says he is upset but not surprised by what's emerged.

The Bridlington Sub Postmaster whose story was told in the ITV post office drama, "Mr Bates vs the Post Office", says he has been treated unfairly throughout the experience.

At the Post Office Horizon Inquiry yesterday a Fujitsu Manager apologised for the language used in the email that was sent during the prosecution that left Lee Castleton bankrupt.

It was sent ahead of a hearing in 2006 in the high court in London, in which the Post Office was chasing Lee Castleton for a £25,000 shortage that had been recorded by the Horizon system.

Mr Castleton, who was played by Will Mellor in the ITV Drama, had been refusing to make up the shortfall and was making the case that he had done nothing wrong. But in 2007 the court ruled against him ordering him to repay the £25,000 as well as £321,000 in legal costs.

Fujitsu manager, Peter Sewell had emailed Andy Dunks, one of his team members who was due to give evidence.

In the email he said

“That Castleton is a nasty chap and will be all out to rubbish the FJ name. It’s up to you to maintain absolute strength and integrity no matter what the prosecution throw at you. We will all be behind you hoping you come through unscathed. Bless you.”

At the inquiry yesterday Mr Sewell was asked why he had been “egging on” his team member in such terms, he told the public inquiry:

“I don’t know why I wrote it, I apologise.”

Responding to the email chain, Lee Castleton said he had never met Sewell or Dunks.

Here is the moment Mr Sewell was questioned about the email as part of the public inquiry.

 

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