Senior officials have stated that Fujitsu should lose its £355 million contract for managing the Brexit border in the Irish Sea unless it compensates postmasters involved in the Horizon IT scandal.
This demand follows Rishi Sunak’s recent announcement to clear the postmasters in what he termed “one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in our nation’s history.” The government is pressing Fujitsu for compensation, which is expected to amount to millions of pounds.
In 2020, Fujitsu, as part of a consortium, secured a significant government contract for the Trader Support Service (TSS). This service, an IT and advisory system, assists businesses in transporting goods from Britain to Northern Ireland post-Brexit.
The TSS represents the largest expenditure of taxpayer funds on post-Brexit trade arrangements in Northern Ireland and is one of nearly 200 deals Fujitsu has with the government, totalling £6.8 billion.
The agreement to operate the TSS, a free service, was extended in 2023 to last until the end of 2024. Additionally, Fujitsu is a contender for another major contract, valued at £180 million, aimed at simplifying UK post-Brexit trade through the implementation of a “Single Trade Window.”
Politicians from both London and Belfast are calling for a halt on any new contracts with Fujitsu until the company commits to contributing towards the compensation for postmasters affected by the scandal. The investigation into this matter is currently underway in London.
Lord Dodds, a DUP peer, expressed to The Telegraph the need for accountability. He criticized the idea of Fujitsu making a substantial profit from the controversial Brexit border while failing to provide compensation.
The DUP has been abstaining from the power-sharing government in Stormont for the past 23 months, protesting the Irish Sea border, which mandates checks and controls on goods from Britain. This border was established to avoid a hard land border with Ireland, an EU member, to protect the peace process post-Brexit.
Despite the introduction of the Windsor Framework in February 2023, a UK-EU agreement replacing the Northern Ireland Protocol and implementing red and green lanes to ease border checks, the DUP’s boycott persists. Fujitsu, through the TSS, plays a key role in managing these lanes.
Doug Beattie, leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, has shown concern over Fujitsu’s involvement in the Windsor Framework’s implementation, given the company’s tarnished reputation. He suggests a review and peer assessment of Fujitsu’s contract, emphasizing that the £340 million contract should not be renewed in 2024 unless Fujitsu participates in compensating the affected sub-postmasters.
Prominent supporters of Brexit are urging the UK government to exert pressure on Fujitsu for compensation payments.
Nigel Farage, the former leader of the Brexit Party, commented, “With billions earned from UK government contracts, it’s time for Fujitsu to face pressure.”
David Jones, a Tory MP and ex-cabinet minister, stated, “I don’t think they should hold any such contracts, including the one in Northern Ireland.”
Mark Francois, head of the European Research Group of Conservative MPs, emphasized, “No further government contracts should be awarded to Fujitsu until full compensation is provided to all sub-postmasters.”
A representative from Fujitsu mentioned, “Given the ongoing inquiry, it would be inappropriate for Fujitsu to make further comments at this stage.”
