East Renfrewshire MP Kirsten Oswald has raised the closure of Neilston’s post office at Westminster whilst calling for action on the Horizon Post Office scandal.

Following the recent resignation of the postmaster, the temporary closure of the Main Street branch began last Saturday, January 13.

Until a new postmaster is found, the nearest alternatives will be Barrhead Post Office, in Cross Arthurlie Street, and Auchenback Post Office, in Aurs Drive.

Ms Oswald said that the ongoing Horizon scandal has "already dampened interest in taking over Post Offices" and expressed her concern "that this will make recruiting new postmasters more difficult."

“This scandal has wrecked lives and damaged livelihoods for decades," she added.

“Inaction by successive Labour, Liberal Democrat, and Tory Ministers at Westminster has meant Postmasters going without justice and a continued erosion of confidence in Post Office Ltd.”

Hundreds of people were prosecuted during the Horizon Post Office Scandal after faulty software made it appear that money was missing from branches when it was not.

Some postmasters attempted to plug shortfalls with their own money, which led to further difficulties including bankruptcies, loss of homes and relationships, and mental health breakdowns.

Since February 2021, an independent inquiry has been examining the treatment of postmasters and the Horizon system.

The scandal was thrust back into the public spotlight following the ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office.

On Wednesday, First Minister Humza Yousaf confirmed that everyone convicted in Scotland as part of the Post Office Horizon scandal would be exonerated.

“I welcome Humza Yousaf’s announcement that everyone convicted in Scotland as part of the Horizon scandal will be exonerated,” added SNP politician Ms Oswald.

“Post Offices play a pivotal role in our local communities.

"Unfortunately, in East Renfrewshire we have already seen too many Post Offices close, limiting the availability of these vital services to residents, most recently in Neilston.

“I am worried that the ongoing Horizon scandal will make it difficult to generate interest in taking over Post Offices, resulting in fewer postmasters coming forward to take on Post Offices.

“The UK government must take steps now to encourage people to take on Post Offices and to arrest the erosion in the number of people willing to do so.

“We need to see urgent action from the UK government to deliver answers and to fix this system.

"Compensation and full exoneration for all victims of the Horizon scandal must be delivered as soon as possible.

“Postmasters provide crucial services locally and are a bedrock of our communities – their role should never be understated.”

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has described the situation as "one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in this country’s history, with hundreds of people having their lives ruined and reputations dragged through mud."

"Too many still have wrongful convictions tied to their name, and we cannot continue to fail them," he added.

"We must do everything we can to exonerate and compensate these innocent people, and make sure they finally get the justice they deserve."