'I can now turn the heating up full blast'

HORIZON IT SCANDAL VICTIM, 92, FINALLY RECEIVES COMPENSATION

- By KATHRYN RIDDELL AND DAVE BURKE

Betty Brown on Good Morning Britain

A 92-YEAR-OLD North East victim of the Post Office Horizon IT scandal has expressed relief after finally receiving a compensation settlement, stating she can now afford to turn her heating on “full blast’.

Betty Brown, the oldest surviving victim of the longstanding injustice, lamented that it took 26 years for her to receive compensation.

Speaking to the BBC, she said: “I can settle up my affairs. I can now turn the heating up full blast, and that will be wonderful.”

Mrs Brown, who ran the Annfield Plain Post Office in County Durham with her late husband Oswall, had to use £50,000 of their personal savings to cover nonexistent shortfalls.

She now feels she can “look to the future” and commended Sir Alan Bates as a “hero” for his persistence.