ITV’s National Television Awards was back on screens on Wednesday for the 2024 show, with drama, entertainment, comedy and live television acknowledged in the glitzy ceremony.
In one emotional moment, ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office – which aired earlier this year and was based on the real-life miscarriage of justice that came from the post office scandal – picked up this year’s Impact Award.
Stars of the series as well as the crew and real-life victims the characters were based on took to the stage to accept the award.
Former subpostmaster and campaigner Jo Hamilton, who was portrayed in the series by Monica Dolan, issued a candid speech in which she revealed many of the victims had still not been paid.
After she thanked people for their support, she explained: “What I want you to know is that 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 – including Sir Alan Bates.”
She added: “They offered him 30 per cent of his claim. He has a plan. So when he comes back to the nation for help, please be there to support him.”
Fans were horrified to learn many of the victims had still not seen justice, with many viewers taking to social media to express their anger over the situation.
One penned: “Keir Starmer’s government receiving another glowing endorsement on the #NTAs. That Post Office victim spilling the tea.”
“What is a disgrace to hear is that they haven’t been given what they are rightfully owed Labour & the PM has a lot of explaining to do,” another shared.
“Innocent Post Office postmasters still not been paid? Come again? You can guarantee, if it was the politicians out of pocket it would’ve been sorted,” someone else wrote.
“Good to see the Governments being called out on national television as the Post Office scandal continues.
“Incredible that these phenomenal people have not yet been paid- shove your Knighthood and endless patronising pats on the head up yer a***e. Get them paid! #NTAs,” another posted.
Someone else penned: “Mr Bates vs The Post Office deserves all the awards put together! Disgusting the new minister STILL hasn’t paid the victims yet.”
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The series told the true story of the British Post Office scandal, which saw hundreds of subpostmasters wrongly prosecuted for theft and fraud due to a faulty computer system.
Alan Bates spearheaded the fight back and the subsequent court case, and his character was portrayed by actor Toby Jones.
Earlier in the evening, the 58-year-old picked up the Drama Performance award for his role in the series.
He stated: “This means an awful lot, not just to me but to the extraordinary people who inspired our show.
