Sir Alan Bates Awarded Honorary Doctorate for Post Office Justice Campaign

Campaigner Sir Alan Bates has been granted an honorary doctorate by Coventry University. This recognition acknowledges his dedicated efforts to secure justice for postmasters who were wrongfully convicted and to clear the names of individuals accused of theft and fraud. Sir Alan established the Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance (JFSA). In 2017, he initiated a group legal action in the High Court, alongside 500 other individuals, to highlight deficiencies within the Post Office’s Horizon accounting system. The 69-year-old stated that he was accepting the honor “for the whole group.” Sir Alan was presented with an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws during a ceremony held at Coventry Cathedral on Tuesday, alongside other university students. He remarked, “When I accept an honour like this it’s not just for myself, it’s for the whole group and everything the whole group has been through.” He added, “It adds another string to our bow when we take our campaign forward.” Sir Alan also expressed, “I hadn’t expected this and it was very much a surprise.” The roots of the JFSA are deeply embedded in Warwickshire, with its inaugural meeting notably occurring in Fenny Compton. Subsequent to that initial gathering, the group has regularly convened in Kineton, including a recent meeting on Sunday. Sir Alan indicated that the group plans to host a celebration approximately a year from now, at which point he “hopefully” anticipates all their financial issues will have been resolved. Following the degree presentation to Sir Alan, Professor John Latham, the university’s Vice-Chancellor, commented: “Sir Alan has spent the last 20 years fighting one of the biggest injustices seen in this country for some time.” He further stated, “He epitomises the very essence of some of the qualities we try to instil in our students; dedication, determination and passion.”