Toby Jones’s criticism of Labour as Post Office victims still unpaid | Celebrity News | Showbiz & TV

Mr Bates star Toby Jones shared a scathing message to Labour as the victims of the Post Office scandal remain unpaid.

The 58-year-old actor received the Best Drama Performance award at the National Television Awards for his role as former subpostmaster Sir Alan Bates.

During his acceptance speech, Toby Jones took the opportunity to stress how the show has been a “great opportunity to renew pressure” on the new government, urging them to ensure that the victims of the scandal are compensated before the end of the year.

The gripping drama, which aired on ITV last year, captivated audiences with its powerful portrayal of the Post Office scandal. 

The drama depicted the real-life story of subpostmaster Sir Alan Bates, one of over 550 claimants who took legal action against the Post Office.

Between 1999 and 2015, more than 700 subpostmasters were prosecuted and convicted due to Fujitsu’s faulty Horizon IT system, which falsely suggested that money was missing from their branches.

After collecting his award, Toby told Radio Times: “It is hard to be totally satisfied with the impact until change happens.

“Alan keeps everyone on the straight and narrow about that. About the fact that nothing has changed for a lot of people and it needs to happen and we’re yet to hear from the government…

“You heard the boos, they’re waiting for action. The audience are right behind it, they just want to see action. Like all of us.”

Jones also took the opportunity to congratulate the real Sir Alan Bates on his recent marriage to his partner Suzanne Sercombe, celebrating their personal milestone.

During the ceremony, Jo Hamilton accepted the Impact Award for the drama and told the audience “nothing has changed” and the Post Office victims are still waiting to be paid.

She said: “We were so grateful and proud (of) the audience response to this drama anyway, so to win this award is absolutely incredible.”

Adding: “I went to Westminster a couple of weeks back and saw the new minister and trust me, nothing has changed. Almost all of these people behind me haven’t been paid yet. And out of the group of 555, more than 300 haven’t been paid yet.”