Police investigating the Post Office Horizon scandal are now considering potential charges of corporate manslaughter, marking a significant escalation in the criminal probe. The investigation, which is examining one of Britain's most profound miscarriages of justice, has also expanded to include more individuals under scrutiny.
Investigation Widens as Person of Interest Pool Grows
The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) confirmed on Monday 1 December 2025 that the criminal investigation has been broadened. The pool of 'persons of interest' has grown to 53, up from approximately 45. This group is understood to include individuals from Post Office investigations, its legal team, and management figures from both the Post Office and Fujitsu, the company that developed the faulty Horizon accounting software.
Furthermore, an additional suspect has been identified, bringing the total number of suspects to eight. In a formal development, a further person has been interviewed under caution, meaning five individuals have now been questioned in this manner as part of Operation Olympos, the national police team leading the inquiry.
Focus on Perjury and Perverting Justice
The investigation continues to focus on potential offences of perjury and perverting the course of justice. Officers are sifting through millions of documents as part of their work. Material relating to some suspects has already been passed to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which will make final decisions on charges once it has sufficient evidence.
Notably, no arrests have been made. Police stated this was 'not necessary given the way we interview and use additional warrants' to gather material.
Appeal to Victims Bound by NDAs
In a direct appeal, police have urged victims of the scandal who signed non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) with the Post Office to contact officers. The NPCC said it has received written confirmation that these NDAs will no longer be enforced, removing a potential barrier for postmasters wishing to share their experiences with investigators.
This criminal investigation runs parallel to the ongoing public inquiry into the scandal, which saw hundreds of postmasters wrongfully convicted of theft and false accounting due to errors in the Horizon IT system. The latest police announcements follow update sessions provided to the victims of this widespread injustice.
