Tim Farron backs pledge to exonerate Cumbria postmasters

Mr Farron demanded justice and compensation for Post Office employees who had their reputations ruined by allegations of theft and false accounting as a result of the faulty Horizon computer system.

He focused on two former sub-postmasters, Tony Downey and Panjalingam Karunakumaran, who were victims of the scandal whilst working in Cumbria.

During a Ministerial Statement at Parliament, Mr Farron said: "Like so many Members, I represent people whose lives were destroyed by this outrageous injustice, two of whom I have been in touch with again today.

"On their behalf, I urge the Government to provide swift and fair compensation, and call for the immediate exoneration of all those who bear the crushing and unjust shame of accusation and conviction."

Mr Downey worked at the post office in Hawkshead before he was accused of stealing £35,000 and was forced into bankruptcy as a result.

In Burneside, Mr Karunakumaran was dismissed in 2007 due to what was seen as 'financial discrepancies'.

Addressing the Post Office Minister Kevin Hollinrake, Mr Farron asked: "Does he recognise that this is a moment of real crisis for the post office network, such that one of my postmasters has already resigned and another has threatened to do so for that very reason?

"Will he instruct the Post Office to go above and beyond to support the network, postmasters and potential postmasters, so that we still have a post office network at the end of all this?”

He added that the issue was creating 'outrage and disgust' in serving postmasters who no longer wished to be associated with the organisation.

In response, Mr Hollinrake said: "An immediate overturning of convictions is something that we are looking to achieve as soon as possible."

“Despite what the Post Office has done, most members of the public still look at the post office network with great admiration and I do not believe that it is a damaged brand."