New legislation was introduced on Wednesday but as it stands it only applies in England and Wales
By Jayne McCormack
BBC News NI political correspondent
There have been “constructive discussions” about extending a law quashing convictions of sub-postmasters to Northern Ireland, the Deputy First Minister has said.
Emma Little-Pengelly said talks were held with Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove on Tuesday.
New legislation was introduced on Wednesday but as it stands it only applies in England and Wales.
Stormont Justice Minister Naomi Long previously said it should be UK-wide.
The legislation is expected to clear the majority of victims in England and Wales by the end of July.
‘Important step forward’
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said it is “an important step forward in finally clearing” hundreds of sub-postmasters.
Those wrongly convicted will get an option to settle for £600,000, without the need to bring a formal claim.
There will also be “enhanced” financial redress for sub-postmasters who, while not convicted or part of legal action against the Post Office, made good the apparent losses caused by the Horizon system from their own pockets.
They will be entitled to a fixed sum of £75,000 through the Horizon Shortfall Scheme, the government said.
Sub-postmasters who have already settled for less money will have their compensation topped up to this level, and people can instead choose to have their claims assessed as part of the usual scheme process, in which there is no limit to compensation.
Ms Little-Pengelly said she and other Stormont ministers had been making “strong representations” on the issue and would continue to press for Northern Ireland’s inclusion.
Although campaigners won the right to have their cases reconsidered, as of January 2024, only 95 convictions had been overturned.
In January, the government announced it would seek to reverse all convictions resulting from the scandal but it was not clear if it would apply in Northern Ireland, which at that stage remained without a devolved government.
Power-sharing was restored at Stormont in early February.
NI justice minister previously said the law should be UK-wide.
Naomi Long said she was “deeply disappointed” it will not apply in Northern Ireland as it would be the fastest solution.
A Department of Justice spokesperson said Ms Long had made representations around the cope of the bill jointly with the first and deputy first ministers.
They added that she would continue to pursue the matter with the the Department for Business and Trade and the Northern Ireland Office.
