A recent inquiry sheds light on serious allegations against the Post Office chairman concerning improper conduct.
- An independent review revealed instances of ‘improper pressure’ exerted on Ben Foat, the general counsel of the Post Office.
- Former chairman Henry Staunton criticised Foat, leading to strained professional relations within the organisation.
- Barrister Marianne Tutin’s investigation highlights potential instances of bullying and discriminatory behaviour by senior Post Office figures.
- The inquiry continues as current organisational culture and practices come under scrutiny.
The inquiry into the Post Office’s internal operations has exposed disturbing conduct allegedly perpetrated by its chairman. The review, led by barrister Marianne Tutin of Devereux Chambers, surfaced after Jane Davies, the former chief people officer, reported misconduct allegations through the company’s Speak Up system.
Central to these allegations is the claim that the chairman, Henry Staunton, exerted considerable pressure on Ben Foat, the general counsel, which impacted Foat to the extent that he needed to take a pause when discussing the matter. Staunton’s scepticism in Foat’s professional judgement was made evident in an email to the chief executive where Staunton expressed his lack of faith in Foat.
The review reported instances of hostile interactions initiated by Staunton during an internal investigation led by Foat. Foat expressed reluctance to respond to questions regarding Staunton’s interference, fearing reprisals due to Staunton’s potentially ‘aggressive’ conduct. The emails circulated by Staunton, which were unintentionally shared beyond intended recipients, contained unfavourable comments about Foat’s leadership and generated further tension within the board.
Ben Tidswell, the senior independent director who chaired meetings following Staunton’s departure, reflected on Staunton’s approach as disruptive and disgraceful, particularly in relation to the Speak Up investigation. Foat was urged by Staunton to cease the investigation, compounded by allegations of Staunton’s ‘offensive’ communication style. The collective view from the testimonies is that Staunton’s actions were an attempt to curtail the investigation’s progress.
Marianne Tutin’s statement underscores these challenges, noting that improper pressure was seemingly applied to Foat and others, aimed at diminishing the scope of the inquiry. The fallout has been significant, with Foat stepping back from his responsibilities, although he is expected to provide more insight into the Post Office’s culture and practices during upcoming testimony.
The inquiry paints a troubling picture of the internal dynamics at the Post Office, highlighting significant leadership challenges.
