An ongoing inquiry into the Post Office has surfaced allegations against its chair, Henry Staunton, involving misconduct and undue pressure on senior staff.
- Key revelations were highlighted during the inquiry, including claims made by Ben Foat, the organisation’s general counsel, concerning Staunton’s aggressive behaviour.
- Staunton allegedly attempted to derail an internal misconduct investigation by intimidating Foat, who faced significant stress as a result.
- The allegations initially arose from reports by Jane Davies, former chief people officer, prompting a thorough examination by barrister Marianne Tutin.
- These events have raised serious concerns regarding the organisational culture and practices within the Post Office.
The inquiry into the Post Office operations has brought forth concerning allegations regarding the conduct of its chair, Henry Staunton. The claims centre around undue pressure and inappropriate behaviour directed at Ben Foat, the general counsel of the Post Office, during an internal investigation into misconduct allegations.
Witness testimony and reports indicate that Staunton was critical of Foat’s judgement, expressing distrust in his legal counsel capabilities. This was evidenced by an email sent to the chief executive, where Staunton explicitly stated his lack of confidence in Foat.
Barrister Marianne Tutin conducted an independent review, commissioned to investigate potential wrongdoing within the organisation, including bullying and discriminatory behaviour. Her findings revealed a strained professional relationship between Staunton and Foat, marked by hostility once Foat began his investigation.
Testimonies recounted during the inquiry described several instances where Staunton allegedly behaved aggressively towards Foat, including during a December 2023 call. Foat reported feeling pressured to abandon or limit the scope of the misconduct investigation, a sentiment made more relatable as he visibly struggled to speak of these encounters.
Further compounding the situation, an unintentional email, criticised as ‘unflattering and unpleasant’, questioned Foat’s leadership and was inadvertently shared beyond its intended recipients. This email, sent by Chief Executive Nick Read, added to the atmosphere of tension and mistrust within the Post Office’s higher echelons.
Ben Tidswell, acting as senior independent director who chaired board meetings following Staunton’s departure, corroborated the allegations. He emphasised Staunton’s inappropriate conduct towards those involved in the whistleblowing investigation, particularly highlighting the pressure exerted on Foat to halt the inquiry.
Collectively, these accounts paint a troubling picture of the challenges faced by the Post Office’s internal culture and governance structures. As the inquiry proceeds, these revelations continue to bring the organisation’s ethical and managerial practices into question.
The inquiry spotlighted critical internal issues, urging a reflection on the governance standards within the Post Office.
