Mr Bates vs The Post Office star Lia Williams has addressed the calls for former Post Office CEO Paula Vennells to “face prison” following the scandal that engulfed hundreds of subpostmasters.
Over 700 subpostmasters were wrongly accused and even convicted of fraud and other financial crimes they did not commit as a result of an IT error relating to the rollout of a new Fujitsu system.
Vennells served as CEO from 2012 until 2019 and was at the helm when prosecutions were being pushed through court.
She was awarded a CBE in the 2019 New Year Honours List for services to the organisation but two years later apologised for the “suffering” caused to subpostmasters after dozens of workers’ convictions were quashed by the Court of Appeal in 2021.
A public inquiry into the saga is still ongoing as subpostmasters continue to seek justice and now, current Postal Minister Kevin Hollinrake has claimed criminal prosecutions appeared a “reasonable” prospect following the inquiry’s findings thus far.
Hollinrake said on ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “I think that matter needs to be looked at. I’ve got to say, if I were Paula Vennells – ultimately you’ve got responsibility for what happened, you are the Chief Executive – if I were Paula Vennells, I would seriously consider handing (the CBE) back voluntarily.
Lia Williams as Paula Vennells in Mr Bates vs The Post Office
ITV
“But we’ve got an inquiry… looking at all the evidence. It will report and that should identify who is responsible, in the Post Office or indeed potentially in Fujitsu, and those people wherever possible should be held to account.”
When asked about specifics, Hollinrake replied: “It is not me or you to judge what the police should take forward as a prosecution or not, that’s an independent part of our system.”
But “if there’s evidence there that people are guilty of a crime (at) the Post Office, at whatever level” he “absolutely” supports prosecutions.
While Hollinrake didn’t name Vennells directly, those who’ve been exposed to the miscarriage of justice thanks to ITV’s new drama – which has proven a ratings smash – have expressed their outrage at her conduct.
However, one person who isn’t convinced Vennells should “face prison” is actor Williams who told ITV prior to the series premiere: “Many raise the question as to whether or not she should face prison.
Toby Jones plays the titular character in Alan Bates vs The Post Office
ITV
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“But having played her it’s still difficult to know one way or the other because in order to play a character, you have to like your character to a certain extent. Or understand her in some way.
“It’s not that I want to defend Paula Vennells’ actions on any level. But I felt as if it would be a lie to present a person with deliberately divisive intentions.
“I don’t think people are generally bad. I think they behave badly when they’re in a situation that’s beyond their control, and beyond their ability to deal with it.”
Williams admitted she found Vennells “fascinating” and not necessarily a “bad” person but admitted she struggled to get the gauge of the real-life Vennells as neither she nor series writer Gwyneth Hughes were granted an audience with the businesswoman.
Lia Williams (left) and the real Paula Vennells (right)
ITV/SHUTTERSTOCK/PA
Referring to her preparation for the role, Williams said: “It’s difficult because people who worked with her are very guarded — difficult to get information from anybody about Paula.
“But my understanding is that she comes from a corporate background and she was extremely successful in that field because of her very corporate mind.
“That’s why she was brought in for this job. The Post Office was struggling at the time and she very successfully turned it around.”
Writer Hughes said of his only interaction with Vennells: “I have not met Paula Vennells, though I did get a good look at her astonishingly glamorous legal team on the first day of the Public Inquiry.”
Mr Bates vs The Post Office concludes on ITV on Thursday while the entire series is available to stream on ITVX now.
