To ask His Majesty's Government whether in incurring potential liabilities on the group litigation against Alan Bates and others which concluded in 2019, the Post Office required authorisation from the Government; and if so, what authorisation was needed and from whom; and whether such authorisation was granted.

Under its Articles of Association, the Post Office is required to gain prior written consent from the Shareholder before entering into a transaction which involves the incurrence of a commitment, liability or payment of a sum in excess of £50 million. Officials have checked our records and have seen no evidence of any such written consent.