Henry Staunton says he is victim of ‘smear campaign’ after Horizon IT scandal spat

Henry Staunton, the former Post Office chair, has told MPs he is the victim of a ‘smear campaign’ by the government because he stood up for the victims of the Horizon IT scandal.

Staunton was dismissed last month by the business secretary, Kemi Badenoch, who said bullying accusations had been made against him.

Badenoch sacked Staunton late last month, initially said they ‘parted ways with mutual consent’. Staunton fought back in an interview with the Sunday Times, claiming Badenoch had told him that ‘someone’s got to take the rap’ for the scandal , while Badenoch in a statement in the Commons described his interview as a ‘blatant attempt to seek revenge’

Tory MPs have Badenoch’s back as they slog it out with former Post Office chair