Post Office scandal victims honoured for campaigning work
Subpostmasters Lee Castleton, Seema Misra and Chris Head have all been given OBEs
Last updated 16th Apr 2025
Three subpostmasters caught up in the Post Office Horizon scandal have been recognised for their campaigning work.
Lee Castleton, Seema Misra and Chris Head were all made OBEs by the Princess Royal at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle this afternoon.
The former subpostmasters, who have campaigned for victims of the Post Office Horizon scandal to receive compensation, are among dozens of people being honoured, including former West Midlands mayor Sir Andy Street and actors Kevin Whately and Eddie Marsan.
Mr Castleton, Ms Misra and Mr Head were all made Officers of the British Empire in the King's New Years Honours list.
What happened to the subpostmasters?
Mr Castleton went bankrupt in 2004 after being sued by the Post Office over claims that there was a £25,000 shortfall at his branch which he could not account for.
The ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office has since forced his case into the spotlight, and in March he took on Fujitsu and the Post Office in a High Court action alleging they had failed to disclose flaws in their software.
Ms Misra has been campaigning for Horizon scandal victims since having a conviction overturned in April 2021, in which she had been accused of stealing £70,000 from her post office in West Byfleet, Surrey and sent to jail despite being pregnant.
Mr Head was the youngest subpostmaster in the UK, aged just 18, when the Post Office pursued him through the courts for shortfalls of £80,000.
He has since set up petitions calling for compensation which have received more than 550,000 signatures.
Alan Bates was given a knighthood for his part in achieving justice for the subpostmasters last year
Other honours given today
Princess Anne knighted the former mayor of the West Midlands Sir Andy Street.
The Conservative politician held the position for two terms before being defeated in last May’s elections by Labour candidate Richard Parker.
Inspector Morse and Lewis actor Kevin Whately will also be made an OBE.
Actor Eddie Marsan, who recently played Amy Winehouse’s father Mitch in the film Back To Black was given an OBE.
The actor will be one of 70 people receiving honours in the morning ceremony, including Olympic cycling gold medallist Sophie Capewell and Paralympian wheelchair fencing double gold medallist Dimitri Coutya, who will both be made MBEs.