Fujitsu says it is 'not a parasite' while withholding a Horizon redress figure

Fujitsu's European boss told MPs the company is "not a parasite" and declined to provide a compensation figure for victims of the Post Office Horizon IT scandal; the government has paid £1.32bn so far and the inquiry's final report is expected later this year.

Fujitsu's European chief Paul Patterson told a Commons committee the company is "not a parasite" after criticism about its continued government work while not naming a redress amount for Horizon victims. MPs pressed Fujitsu on why it has not made a provision in its accounts or announced a compensation figure. The Post Office Horizon system faults led to wrongful prosecutions of many branch operators linked to software developed by Fujitsu. The government has paid £1.32bn to claimants so far and the public inquiry's final report is expected later this year. Key points: - Paul Patterson told MPs Fujitsu is not a parasite and said the firm would follow government decisions on contracts. - Fujitsu continues to run and maintain Post Office systems under contracts worth about £500m if not ended early, the company told the committee. - The company has previously said it has a "moral obligation" to offer redress but has not set a financial figure or made an accounting provision. - The public inquiry led by Sir Wyn Williams has published earlier volumes and its final report, which Fujitsu says it will use to decide any quantum, is expected later this year. Summary: MPs criticised Fujitsu for continuing to hold government IT contracts while not committing to a compensation figure for victims of the Horizon scandal. The company maintains it will decide any financial redress after the inquiry's final report is published. Undetermined at this time.