Post Office Compensation Could Have Saved My Husband’s Life, Says Widow

A sub-postmaster’s life was tragically cut short after being adversely affected by the Post Office’s erroneous accounting system, leaving him without complete compensation. Jonathan Armstrong, who was 58, suffered a heart attack in October.

His wife, Sarah, is now contemplating a legal claim against the Post Office following her husband’s death, asserting that the ongoing stress from being wrongfully accused of theft due to the Horizon IT debacle severely impacted his well-being.

The Post Office expressed heartfelt condolences regarding Mr. Armstrong’s passing, while the government pledged to expedite the pursuit of justice for affected individuals.

Family’s Painful Journey

In an exclusive interview, Sarah Armstrong shared her family’s harrowing experience, stating, “I firmly believe that had we received compensation five years ago, he would still be alive.” The family disclosed that Jonathan, affectionately known as Jono, had previously attempted suicide.

This tragic event occurred in 2014, coinciding with the arrival of auditors at his Bexhill-on-Sea branch in East Sussex. By that time, the supposed “losses” attributed to the faulty Horizon software had ballooned into tens of thousands of pounds, causing Sarah to fear the worst when Jono failed to return home.

“We were aware that the situation was dire. We just couldn’t pinpoint what was going wrong,” she recalled, noting that their discussions had turned toward the possibility of ending their lives together. “When I realized he didn’t come home, I feared that was what he had done.”

Becky, their daughter, took it upon herself to search for Jono, and fortunately, by the time she located him, emergency responders had intervened in time to save his life.

Jono was among a group of ten sub-postmasters who reportedly attempted suicide due to the scandal, and inquiries have suggested that over 13 may have lost their lives as a result.

Impact on the Family

Following his hospitalization, where he spent nearly a month receiving treatment, Jono was placed in a supervised environment for six weeks. The Armstrong family had immigrated to the UK from Zimbabwe in 2004, escaping political turmoil.

Jono, a certified accountant, became a sub-postmaster in 2006 while Sarah managed the shop. “We turned it into a vibrant Post Office,” Sarah reminisced. “Sales quadrupled, and it became a hub for the community.”

They achieved numerous accolades, including being named Post Office Retailer of the Year in 2014. However, upon Jono’s return home, he discovered that his contract had been terminated, and the community backlash accused him of theft.

“He was a shattered individual,” Sarah stated, describing how he battled anxiety, depression, elevated blood pressure, and worsening diabetes. To protect Jono from prosecution, she took over his role as sub-postmaster, accepting the £43,000 in alleged “losses,” although she too faced financial shortfalls.

Struggles and Setbacks

Meanwhile, Becky left university to help run the shop, constantly worrying about her father’s state of mind. “When someone attempts suicide, you live in fear of whether they will try again… he had become a mere shadow of his former self, completely resigned to his fate,” shared Becky, now 33.

In 2015, the family managed to sell the business and relocated to Gloucestershire to be nearer to Becky’s two siblings. After Jono filed for compensation, he received an initial offer two years later, but it was significantly lower than his claim, prompting him to reject it.

It took another two years for him to submit a revised claim, hindered by the time needed to gather additional evidence, including medical records. However, after waiting for seven months, his case was moved into a new appeals process, the HSSA, overseen by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). Tragically, Jono passed away before a resolution was reached.

“He left this world without knowing the outcome, and that’s heartbreaking for us, as he deserved so much more,” Becky lamented.

Jono had only received a provisional payment from the Post Office, which he used to purchase a small caravan in a holiday park near Cirencester, where Sarah continues to reside.

Sarah expressed that Jono was determined to secure his full compensation, not only as a means of proving his innocence but also to begin anew with a permanent home and garden, “somewhere in the sun.”

“Had he received that compensation, I believe he would have been fine. We wouldn’t have been concerned. He longed to escape England, feeling that it had not been kind to him,” she added.

Moving Forward

Becky ultimately completed her degree and is now a sports coach, actively participating in Lost Chances, a group advocating for adult children of affected sub-postmasters. She and Jono had even selected music for her upcoming wedding, including a special “daddy dance,” but all arrangements have ceased following his passing.

“My heart aches that he isn’t here to escort me down the aisle,” she expressed.

“He was kind, compassionate, and had a wonderful sense of humor, often with the worst dad jokes. But he was always a reliable support.”

Jono died just days shy of celebrating their 34th wedding anniversary, and Sarah holds the Post Office accountable for their devastating experiences.

“Now we must fight for what he needed,” she asserted.

Shortly after the BBC sought comments from the DBT, the Armstrongs received what their solicitor referred to as a considerably improved compensation offer, which they are currently evaluating.

A spokesperson for the Post Office remarked, “Postmasters and their families have endured years of suffering. Clearing their names and obtaining redress has taken far too long. We are truly sorry to learn of Mr. Armstrong’s passing and the hardships faced by him and his family.”

A government representative added, “We extend our heartfelt condolences to Jonathan Armstrong’s family. We fully recognize how urgent the issue of compensation is for many postmasters, which is why we are committed to delivering justice as promptly as possible.”

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