Post Office Inquiry: former union boss branded 'aggressive and belligerent' during tense exchange

George Thomson, former general secretary of the National Federation of Subpostmasters was accused of being 'aggressive and belligerent' during a tense exchange with Sam Stein KC.

He also denied lacking sympathy for those who were wrongfully convicted as a result of faults in the Horizon IT system.

Mr Thomson, who served as general secretary between 2007 and 2018, gave evidence at the Post Office inquiry on Friday.

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[brunopetit]

In short a bully and a thug who has been found out big time

[doubleplusgoodthinker]

As a retired trade union official I find the attitude of this man appalling. He is clearly in the pocket of the Post Office.

[charleskirk]

So basically he was an informant for the Post Office rather than a representative of Union members. A thoroughly disgusting individual.

[oiooi]

It was jaw dropping how stupid, belligerent and corrupt this man was

[sewsimple]

He sold his members out. What a disgrace to unions. I am ashamed coming from a family of union members.

[daydays]

He talks as if he was an employee of the PO and not a union man. My word! He is horrible.

[TheComputec]

Narcissist and bully. Imagine being a sub-postmaster being wrongfully accused and prosecuted by the Post Office and this guy rocks up to "represent your interests" and low and behold, he tells you to pay up
Imagine also how angry you would be if you now found out he's gagged his own union from sharing the known problems just for 30 pieces of silver... disgraceful traitor

[mikebeardsall]

Rather appropriate that he's come dressed as a humbug.

[alistairmcgregor]

I think George Thomson's base line was that the subpostmasters were guilty until proven innocent.

[danielocallaghan]

He was meant to be representing the interests of sub-postmasters and defending them? What a vile and repellent person.

[peterbennett]

He did nothing apart from looking after himself. This man should be arrested immediately

[claredavies]

George Thomson is a disgrace to the union movement. He did not look out for his members and his aggressive approach to the Inquiry is just, well, appalling. I found his attack on Alan Bates absolutely staggering... the man has no awareness at all....

[heywhotsgoinon]

What a thoroughly unpleasant person Thompson is.

[helsonwheels]

A more revolting, abhorrent human being, than Mr Thomson you'd be hard-pressed to find.

[gjek]

I was a Union representative that tried my hardest to represent and protect the rights and livelihoods of all I represented for 20 plus years. This man is talking with the mindset that he was employed by the post office and was in the pockets of the Post Office. I could not of sat in the same office as this man he is as guilty as his managers . I personally think this man’s financials need looking at sooner rather than later. He is a traitor to all he represented

[wfnnrxt]

He should have been kicked out of the inquiry for contempt. An utterly revolting individual. At least seeing his evidence we can understand how this catastrophe actually came about

[J]

He is absolutely out of touch with the current situation.

[jampot]

What accountability is there for awful people like this...he should be prosecuted.

[fc]

I am a Scot so I feel I can say that this guy is absolutely typical of the 70’s era Scots mainly Glaswegian union bosses who got into the game for power and recognition, something they never had gained on their own merit. Self-serving. Imagine having to listen to that absolute nonsense on a daily basis?

[barryjessop]

An absolute embarrassment for a Union Representative
Utter contempt for his membership