Barrister loses patience with former Post Office executive: 'That's just word soup'

A former Post Office executive was condemned for using “word soup” jargon by a frustrated barrister during the Horizon IT inquiry on Friday 26 April.

On her second day of giving evidence, Angela van den Bogerd was asked about the cases of several individual subpostmasters and their branches.

Her response, when questioned on the specifics of settlement negotiations with Martin Griffiths, drew a frustrated outburst from Jason Beer KC, lead counsel to the inquiry.

“What does that mean? That’s just word soup,” he said, repeating part of Ms van den Bogerd’s answer back to her.

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[DavidGetling]

The public are losing patience waiting for this evil woman, Vennells, and others to receive the jail sentences that they so richly deserve.

[KM-pqjk]

If her lips move she is lying. How can she sleep having caused so much damage to innocent people (victims)

[Busflower]

I am the hugest fan of Mr Jason Beer! He is utterly brilliant and I love to watch how he makes these awful people squirm!

[Buxtonchappy]

What a despicable individual she is, words fail me, send her to jail.

[dismalfist]

Consequences. Probably for the first time in her life. Real real consequences are coming.

And she falls back into the only delusion she has; that business-speak and lying will save her.

[prakashmakwana]

Exposed as a natural liar, immoral, selfish and greedy. Will justice prevail and will she pay for her crimes?

[kenstats]

I don't think it is possible for Jason Beer to lose patience. He just made the appropriate comment.

[earlebacciochi]

Truth, fairness and honesty seem to be the last thing these executives think about in their quest for bonuses, promotions and corporate adoration?

[PH]

The headline is wrong. He did not lose his patience with her.

[fatbelly]

I'd love to have a conversation with Jason Beer about what he really thinks about this procession of liars and incompetents.

[michaelhipperson]

What are the consequences of lying under oath?

[BenMillen]

At no point in this video did he lose his patience, he highlighted her bs, title your videos correctly

[ghengis]

Her flat affect indicates something very sinister. Devoid of empathy, should be in Rampton.

[fireskycam]

I wonder if these people realise over 99% of the population want to see them in prison.

[AndreA-keid]

Bring her before a court not an enquiry. And then jail her.

[chriscurtain]

How this woman still walks free is one of life's mysteries.

[brunopetit]

Can you imagine what it would have been like working with this horrendous excuse for a human being? Just do as i say and dont ask questions type. She needs jail time asap. Disgusting

[cazyaz]

This is Jason Beer KC’s way of showing his irritation.
As barristers we are not supposed to be openly rude or provocative to those we are cross examining but sarcasm can slip in and it did here. There’s no jury, he’s not out to impress anyone, he’s there to elicit facts and stop people trying to speak b-s to the inquiry.
He called her out. Edward Henry KC and Sam Stein KC were far more outspoken as they were not the barristers acting for the Inquiry but for Core Participants such as the sub post masters. Their hands were less constrained than JBKC.
Sam Stein’s questioning of her was brilliant. He took no prisoners and loved telling her the high court judge in the civil proceedings hadn’t believed a word she’d said. The way he delivered it had me tittering!

[simonfoley]

This woman needs to be in jail ....period

[colinslant]

Tip for anyone being cross-examined: if you don't want to come across as shifty or a liar, JUST ANSWER THE QUESTION.