Fujitsu has confirmed its intention to compensate victims of the Horizon scandal engulfing The Post Office following mounting pressure and public scrutiny for its role in developing the software.
The Horizon scandal, which unfolded over two decades, involved the wrongful conviction of more than 700 Post Office branch managers.
They were accused of theft and false accounting due to discrepancies caused by faults in the Horizon software, a system introduced across the UK in 1999 for managing transactions and accounts.
Some postmasters who were wrongfully convicted for stealing from The Post Office copped prison sentences, while the miscarriages of justice have also been linked to suicides.
"The Fujitsu Group regards this matter with the utmost seriousness and offers its deepest apologies to the sub-postmasters and their families," the company said in a statement on Thursday.
"The UK statutory public inquiry, to which our UK subsidiary is providing full cooperation, is examining complex events that have unfolded over many years, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to this cooperation.
“Based on the findings of the inquiry, we will also be working with the UK government on the appropriate actions, including contribution to compensation."
Earlier this week, Fujitsu spoke of a "moral obligation" to support Horizon victims.
Though known about for decades, the ITV drama Mr Bates Vs The Post Office renewed public interest in the Horizon scandal.
Former boss of the Post Office Paula Vennells said she would return her CBE following protests over the scandal.
The UK government has earmarked £1bn for compensation to the victims and has indicated a willingness to pursue Fujitsu for these costs, pending the outcome of the ongoing independent inquiry.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has also introduced legislation for mass exoneration of those impacted by the faulty software, with an upfront compensation offer of £75,000 to sub-postmasters, though it's expected that only a third will accept this initial sum.