Post Office hero Alan Bates rejects 'derisory' offer of compensation

POST Office crusader Alan Bates "deserves the right level of compensation for his suffering", No10 said yesterday after he rejected a "derisory" offer from the Government.

- Emily Braeger

Wronged former sub-postmaster Alan, 69, waited 111 days for his claim to be answered - only for it to be a figure worth around a sixth of his request.

The campaigner, whose two-decade fight for justice inspired the ITV series Mr Bates vs The Post Office, lost upwards of £60,000 the amount he and partner Suzanne Sercombe invested in their branch.

Alan said: "Full and fair' might be His Majesty's Government's interpretation, but in reality, the offer is derisory, offensive and after all this time, yes, cruel, "I will absolutely be turning this offer for financial redress down. It's just a terrible way to treat human beings.