Sir Alan Bates and Noel Thomas to be honoured by Bangor University

Mr Bates campaigned for justice for sub-postmasters for two decades, while Mr Thomas was wrongly convicted of false accounting after the Horizon computer system failed.

They are two of 10 individuals being awarded by the university this week as its graduation ceremonies take place.

Since successfully appealing his conviction, Mr Thomas has since gone on to tell his story, as he “wanted others who had suffered to come forward and secure justice”.

Both he and Mr Bates are receiving their honorary degrees for “public service”.

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Mr Bates dedicated two decades to advocating for justice and clearing the names of Post Office managers involved in what is considered the most extensive miscarriage of justice in UK history.

He founded the Justice for Sub-postmasters Alliance (JSFA) in 2009, playing a leading role in the legal battle to seek justice for those whose lives were adversely affected and to ensure compensation for those wrongly accused.

With five others from the JFSA, he took the Post Office to court on behalf of 555 claimants.

Mr Thomas gained recognition for his significant role in addressing the Horizon scandal in the UK.

Engaging in a prolonged legal battle, he campaigned alongside others to clear the names of Post Office sub-postmasters who faced criminal convictions due to faulty accounting software.

Bangor University said: “His commitment to seeking justice for those affected by the scandal exemplifies his resilience and determination to expose the truth.”

The other recipients of this year’s honorary degrees are Manon Steffan Ros, Linda Gittins, Joan Edwards, Mark Williams, Dr Susan Chomba, Professor E Wynne Jones, Professor John Philip Sumpter OBE and Carl Foulkes.