Paula Vennells – the top boss of the Post Office at the time of the sub postmasters scandal – has offered to hand back her CBE.
But how was she bestowed with the honour in the first place – and can she just return it?
Her decision to offer give back to King’s award comes after more than 1.2million people signed a petition for her to be stripped of the title.
The furious calls came after an ITV drama detailing the events enraged UK residents. Viewers are furious at her actions as the company’s chief executive from 2012 to 2019 as it was revealed how former sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses were held liable by the Post Office for financial discrepancies thrown up by its computerised accounting system.
Hundreds were taken to court, left bankrupt, or imprisoned over the faulty Horizon system, developed by Fujitsu. Now in a statement Vennells has apologised once again – and offered to return her honour.
She said: “I continue to support and focus on co-operating with the Inquiry and expect to be giving evidence in the coming months. I have so far maintained my silence as I considered it inappropriate to comment publicly while the Inquiry remains ongoing and before I have provided my oral evidence.
“I am, however, aware of the calls from subpostmasters and others to return my CBE. I have listened and I confirm that I return my CBE with immediate effect.
“I am truly sorry for the devastation caused to the sub-postmasters and their families, whose lives were torn apart by being wrongly accused and wrongly prosecuted as a result of the Horizon system. I now intend to continue to focus on assisting the Inquiry and will not make any further public comment until it has concluded.”
What is a CBE?
A CBE stands for Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
According to the gov.uk a CBE is awarded “for having a prominent but lesser role at national level, or a leading role at regional level.”
In this context “lesser” means in relation to a Knight or a Dame.
“You can also get one for a distinguished, innovative contribution to any area,” it Government website adds.
How is someone awarded a CBE?
Firstly – a nomination has to be made.
Gov.uk explains: “Whether someone gets an honour – and the honour they get – is decided by an honours committee. The committee’s recommendations go to the Prime Minister and then to the King, who awards the honour.”
Ms Vennells was awarded her CBE in 2019 for “services to the Post Office and to charity”.
Can a CBE be stripped?
Yes they definitely can – and how and why this may happen is described in detail by the Cabinet Office.
Its guidance says: “Yes. It is possible to remove an honour on the advice of the Forfeiture Committee and with the approval of the Sovereign.”
It adds: “Your honour can be withdrawn (or ‘forfeited’) for a variety of reasons. This might include being found guilty of a criminal offence, behaviour which results in censure by a regulatory or a professional body, or any other behaviour that is deemed to bring the honours system into disrepute.
“A decision to forfeit your honour can be based on events that pre-date the award (for example, a past criminal conviction, even if spent), or conduct that occurs after the award is made.”
Can an honour be forfeited voluntarily?
There is also a great amount of information available on this matter too.
But the website explains: “An honour can only be forfeited by the decision of His Majesty. However, an individual may decide to renounce their honour voluntarily and take the practical steps required of those that have forfeited.
“They would still hold the honour unless or until HM King annulled it.
“Their decision would not be publicised by the Cabinet Office and they would continue to be able to describe themself as holding an honour.”
