Post bosses apologise over 'blackmail' claims

Post Office bosses have come under fire for threatening postmasters with financial penalties if they speak out about closures.

Claims of "blackmail" came after letter from Sue Huggins, the Post Office director responsible for the its 'network change programme', which outlined the "key messages" they must deliver if customers ask about closures.

"During the programme, representatives of the Post Office Limited will visit branches at random, on an anonymous basis, in order to ensure these 'key messages' are being delivered in an accurate and professional manner," it said.

"Subject to state aid clearance, any compensation package offered to you if your branch is selected for closure shall be subject to you having complied, and continuing to comply, with this obligation up to the date of closure."

Shadow business secretary Alan Duncan said it was the practice was "shameful."

"It is not appropriate in a free country for a national employer like the Post Office to use the tactics of the secret police to demand Maoist conformity to their line," he claimed.

"Explaining their view is one thing, but to go around spying on their branches and employees is quite sick. Is this what Mr Brown meant when he said there would be an end to spin?"

The Post Office later said it would issue a clarification and an apology.