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The government is continuing to put Post Office victims through “hell” in their fight for redress, Sir Alan Bates has told Sky News.

More than 240 former sub-postmasters are still waiting for financial compensation years after they won their High Court battle.

Sir Alan’s comments come after another former sub-postmaster, Terry Walters from Wilmslow in Cheshire, died without receiving financial redress. He is survived by his wife Janet.

Hundreds were wrongly accused of stealing from their Post Office branches between 1999 and 2015 as a result of faulty Horizon computer software.

Post Office campaigner Sir Alan Bates has described government officials as living in “ivory towers totally removed from the hell the victims have gone through day after day, year after year”.

He told Sky News they “haven’t the slightest inkling of what hell they continue to put the victims (through)”.

“It’s all well and good meeting a few of them every now and then, patting them on the head and making noises about how hard they are working to sort everything out,” he added.

“When the figures alone prove how badly they are able to finalise cases – that is unless victims want to sell themselves short for a quick settlement.”

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‘Redress’ to Post Office Capture software victims

Sir Alan wrote to the Post Office minister in January putting forward a proposal to help speed along redress delivered to victims who are part of the Group Litigation Order (GLO) scheme.

On behalf of the JFSA (Justice for Sub-postmasters Alliance) he suggested a “compulsory mediation scheme” that could be inserted into the process to “create an opportunity for early resolution”.

In his letter, seen by Sky News, he wrote that this should happen within four weeks from the point at which the initial offer of financial redress is rejected by a victim.

“Key to this proposal,” he continued, “is getting rid of the lawyers, for a whole host of reasons, not least the ridiculous amount being spent on them…”

He added that their input should be “kept to a minimum”.

Sir Alan said the mediations should also be “time limited” and undertaken by a “party neutral” law firm.

Describing the current situation on redress as “unacceptable”, he wrote: “We are not prepared just to sit back and let time pass as far too many have already died along the way, and this matter needs to be brought to completion now.”

He also described a 40-day “delay” to claims before victims receive their initial offer as “extremely unfair” and projected that at the “current rate” redress would not be paid to everyone until 2027.

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Post Office scandal children seek justice

Jonathan Reynolds, the business secretary, has since written to Sir Alan following on from his correspondence with the prime minister last year.

In his letter he said it is “likely” that all GLO claims will be “settled this year”.

“Ministers and civil servants in the department (for business and trade) will continue to do everything we can to ensure claims that we receive are handled in a prompt way,” he wrote.

The business secretary added that payments for “complete claims” received by the end of last year are expected to be paid before the end of March.

Sir Alan has previously said that victims may consider further legal action on financial redress and demanded a deadline of March 2025 for payment to all.

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In his letter, Mr Reynolds said that “setting a deadline” would “run counter” to “easing the strain” on the “most vulnerable claimants” who have “found it stressful to engage with the process”.

He continued: “It could be damaging to some GLO members’ mental health and might limit their ability to claim their full redress.”

The secretary of state added that the department shared Sir Alan’s view that the “victims of the horrendous scandal deserve closure as soon as possible”.

In addition, Mr Reynolds invited Sir Alan to a meeting to “discuss any ideas” for “practical ways in which we can improve matters for the GLO group”.

A spokesperson from the Department for Business and Trade said: “We pay tribute to Sir Alan Bates and the tireless campaigning he has done to get justice for the thousands of innocent postmasters affected by the Horizon scandal.

“Postmasters have already had to wait far too long for justice which is why we are working relentlessly to provide full and fair redress and have doubled the number of payments since July.”

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Health and beauty chain Bodycare in race to avert collapse

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Health and beauty chain Bodycare in race to avert collapse

A health and beauty retailer founded on a Lancashire market stall more than half a century ago is facing collapse amid a race to find a rescue deal.

Sky News has learnt that Bodycare, which employs about 1,500 people, could fall into administration as soon as next week unless a buyer is found.

City sources said that Interpath, the advisory firm which has been working with Bodycare and its owners for several months, was continuing to explore options for the business.

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The company is owned by Baaj Capital, a family office run by Jas Singh.

Its other investments have included In The Style, which underwent a pre-pack administration earlier this year, and party products supplier Amscan International.

Baaj also attempted to take over The Original Factory Shop earlier this year before its offer was trumped by Modella Capital, another specialist retail investor.

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News of Bodycare’s travails comes just weeks after the retailer secured a £7m debt facility to buy it short-term breathing space.

The facility was secured against Bodycare’s retail inventory, according to a statement last month.

Bodycare was established by Graham and Margaret Blackledge in Skelmersdale in 1970, and sells branded products made by the likes of L’Oreal, Nivea and Elizabeth Arden.

The chain was profitable before the pandemic, but like many retailers lost millions of pounds in the financial years immediately after it hit.

Bodycare received financial support from the taxpayer in the form of a multimillion pound loan issued under one of the Treasury’s pandemic funding schemes.

The chain is run by retail veteran Tony Brown, who held senior roles at BHS and Beales, the now-defunct department store groups.

If Bodycare does fall into insolvency proceedings, it would be the latest high street chain to face collapse this year, amid intensifying complaints from the industry about tax increases announced in last autumn’s budget.

In recent weeks, River Island narrowly avoided administration after winning creditor approval for a restructuring involving store closures and job losses.

Later this week, the struggling discount giant Poundland will seek similar approval from the courts for a radical overhaul that will entail dozens of shop closures.

Bodycare could not be reached for comment on Tuesday, while Baaj has been contacted for comment and Interpath declined to comment.

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Trump seeks to fire Fed governor, triggering fresh independence crisis

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Trump seeks to fire Fed governor, triggering fresh independence crisis

President Trump says he is firing a governor of the US central bank, a move seen as intensifying his bid for control over the setting of interest rates.

He posted a letter on his Truth Social platform on Monday night declaring that Lisa Cook – the first black woman to be appointed a Federal Reserve governor – was to be removed from her post on alleged mortgage fraud grounds.

She has responded, insisting he has no authority over her job and vowed to continue in the role, threatening a legal battle that could potentially go all the way to the Supreme Court.

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The president‘s threat is significant as he has consistently demanded that the central bank cut interest rates to help boost the US economy. Growth has sagged since he returned to office on the back of US trade war gloom and hiring has slowed sharply in more recent months.

Mr Trump has previously directed his ire over rates at Jay Powell, the chair of the Federal Reserve, blaming him for the economic jitters and has repeatedly called for him to be fired.

The Fed, as it is known, has long been considered an institution independent from politics and question marks over that independence has previously shaken financial markets.

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The dollar was hit overnight while US futures indicate a negative opening for stock markets.

Mr Powell’s term is due to end next spring and the president is expected to soon nominate his replacement.

Fed chair Jay Powell is seen in discussion with board member Lisa Cook. Pic: AP
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Fed chair Jay Powell is seen in discussion with board member Lisa Cook. Pic: AP

The Fed has 12 people with a right to vote on monetary policy, which includes the setting of interest rates and some regulatory powers.

Those 12 include the seven members of the Board of Governors, of which Ms Cook is one.

Replacing her would give Trump appointees a 4-3 majority on the board.

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He has previously said he would only appoint Fed officials who support lower borrowing costs.

Ms Cook was appointed to the Fed’s board by then-president Joe Biden in 2022 and is the first black woman to serve as a governor.

Her nomination was opposed by most Senate Republicans at the time and was only approved, on a 50-50 vote, with the tie broken by then-vice president Kamala Harris.

It was alleged last week by a Trump appointed regulator that Ms Cook had claimed two primary residences in 2021 to get better mortgage terms.

Mortgage rates are often higher on second homes or those purchased to rent.

She responded to the president’s letter: “President Trump purported to fire me ‘for cause’ when no cause exists under the law, and he has no authority to do so,” she said in an emailed statement.

“I will not resign.”

Legal experts said it was for the White House to argue its case.

But Lev Menand, a law professor at Columbia law school, said of the situation: “This is a procedurally invalid removal under the statute.

“This is not someone convicted of a crime. This is not someone who is not carrying out their duties.”

The Fed was yet to comment.

It has held off from interest rate cuts this year, largely over fears that the president’s trade war will result in a surge of inflation due to higher import duties being passed on in the world’s largest economy.

However, Mr Powell hinted last week that a cut could now be justified due to risks of rising unemployment.

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New Look owners pick bankers to fashion sale process

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New Look owners pick bankers to fashion sale process

The owners of New Look, the high street fashion retailer, have picked bankers to oversee a strategic review which is expected to see the company change hands next year.

Sky News has learnt that Rothschild has been appointed in recent days to advise New Look and its shareholders on a potential exit.

The investment bank’s appointment follows a number of unsolicited approaches for the business from unidentified suitors.

New Look, which trades from almost 340 stores and employs about 10,000 people across the UK, is the country’s second-largest womenswear retailer in the 18-to-44 year-old age group.

It has been owned by its current shareholders – Alcentra and Brait – since October 2020.

In April, Sky News reported that the investors were injecting £30m of fresh equity into the business to aid its digital transformation.

Last year, the chain reported sales of £769m, with an improvement in gross margins and a statutory loss before tax of £21.7m – down from £88m the previous year.

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Like most high street retailers, it endured a torrid Covid-19 and engaged in a formal financial restructuring through a company voluntary arrangement.

In the autumn of 2023, it completed a £100m refinancing deal with Blazehill Capital and Wells Fargo.

A spokesperson for New Look declined to comment specifically on the appointment of Rothschild, but said: “Management are focused on running the business and executing the strategy for long-term growth.

“The company is performing well, with strong momentum driven by a successful summer trading period and notable online market share gains.”

Roughly 40% of New Look’s sales are now generated through digital channels, while recent data from the market intelligence firm Kantar showed it had moved into second place in the online 18-44 category, overtaking Shein and ASOS.

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