Change the law on computer evidence with an amendment to data protection bill | Letter

A group of software experts and barristers who have been supporting the subpostmasters affected by the Post Office Horizon miscarriages of justice call for changes to the bill going through the House of Lords

It is now clear that the Post Office was advised by its lawyers to delay disclosing some evidence that would help subpostmasters (Post Office was urged by external lawyers to ‘suppress’ key document, inquiry hears, 18 April).

Failure to disclose vital evidence about the defects in the Horizon IT system led to appalling injustice. We suggest that the data protection and digital information bill that is currently before parliament should be amended to require that a person seeking to rely on computer evidence should have to declare on oath that, having made the necessary inquiries, they know of no reason why it should not be relied on.
Martyn Thomas Emeritus professor, Gresham College
Harold Thimbleby Emeritus professor, Gresham College
Bev Littlewood Emeritus professor, City, University of London
Martin Newby Emeritus professor, City, University of London
Paul Marshall Barrister
Stephen Mason Barrister
James Christie