Wrongly convicted sub-postmasters guaranteed compensation by government

Davis described the news as “long overdue” and added: “More is to be done. Those at the Post Office who were responsible for this terrible miscarriage of justice must be held to account.”

So far, 59 former sub-postmasters have had their convictions quashed – with more due in court over the coming months.

The government has said it will to fund the initial compensation payments, although those affected can still seek extra compensation at a later date, via mediated settlements or through the civil courts.

Some of those claims could add up to millions of pounds.

Postal Affairs minister Paul Scully said: “The suffering and distress these postmasters and their families have gone through cannot be overstated.

“While nothing will make up for the years of pain they faced after this appalling injustice, I hope this initial step provides a measure of comfort.

“The Post Office has started to turn a corner in terms of dealing with its past mistakes – and this government will support them in doing so wherever possible.”

There were more than 700 prosecutions based on evidence gathered from the Horizon software system, evidence which is now regarded as unreliable.

Hundreds of innocent sub-postmasters were convicted of offences including theft and false accounting.