Steve Barclay insisted the Government’s focus is on exonerating the victims of the Post Office scandal and ensuring they receive compensation amid a furious row between Kemi Badenoch and Henry Staunton.

Mr Staunton, the former chairman of the Post Office, alleged in an interview that Mrs Badenoch said he was being dismissed because someone needed to “take the rap” for the handling of the Horizon IT scandal. 

He also said he was told by a senior civil servant to “stall” spending on compensation to sub-postmasters ahead of the next general election.

Mrs Badenoch, the Business Secretary, vehemently denied the claims and accused Mr Staunton of lying. She also accused him of a “blatant attempt to seek revenge” following his dismissal.

It was suggested to Mr Barclay, the Environment Secretary, during an interview on Times Radio this morning that the row was a “terrible look” for the Government and he said: “I agree what really matters is focusing on getting the compensation and justice to the sub-postmasters.”

Mr Barclay said Rishi Sunak was “absolutely committed, as I know Kemi is, to getting compensation, to getting the legislation to exonerate the sub-postmasters and that is the real focus for the Government”. 

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