Toby Jones expressed his gratitude for winning the National Television Award for his outstanding performance in “Mr Bates vs The Post Office.” This recognition has provided him with a valuable platform to apply pressure on the new Government for the compensation of subpostmasters wrongfully prosecuted during the Horizon IT scandal.
His portrayal of former subpostmaster Sir Alan Bates shed light on the plight of over 550 claimants embroiled in legal action against the Post Office. His impassioned plea during the awards ceremony sought to urge the Government to expedite compensation for these individuals before the year’s end.
Jones emphasized the importance of popular will in expediting this process and highlighted the show’s role in creating a cultural shift and triggering parliamentary action. Additionally, actress Monica Dolan, who played Jo Hamilton in the show, expressed her deep appreciation for the subpostmasters’ trust in sharing their story, deeming it the privilege of their lives. The collective plea for justice and compensation for the victims of the scandal resounded strongly, as former subpostmistress Jo Hamilton spotlighted the lack of progress during her impassioned speech while receiving the NTA Impact Award.