Proactive Investors - Simon Thompson, the chief executive of Royal Mail parent International Distributions Services PLC will face MPs for questioning again, after accusations he gave inaccurate evidence while meeting the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee last week.
Thompson’s claims that he was not “aware of technology” which tracks workers’ speed, that parcels were not prioritised over letters and that staff received standard sick pay were all disputed by Royal Mail workers following the January 17 meeting.
Committee chair Darren Jones wrote to Thompson: “Following the session, I received a significant amount of correspondence from Royal Mail employees […] challenging the statements you made.
“The committee has therefore decided to recall you to give further oral evidence at the earliest opportunity.”
✉️???? We're recalling @RoyalMail boss Simon Thompson after doubts were cast over the accuracy of statements he made last week to us.Read our letter to him explaining our reasons here: https://t.co/UrMfszwlpv pic.twitter.com/8Ntel3XCbo
— Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee (@CommonsBEIS) January 24, 2023
A Royal Mail spokesperson replied: "We welcome the opportunity to expand on any points on which the committee would like clarification.”
Thompson had met MPs in the wake of a long-running dispute over pay and conditions which had seen some 115,000 Royal Mail workers strike for 18 days between August and December.
The Communication Workers Union is yet to confirm whether further strikes will take place, but suggested “significant moves” towards a settlement had been made, following a new offer by Royal Mail.
Jones added that Royal Mail chairman Keith Williams had been asked to attend the next meeting, also suggesting that the committee would take “very seriously” any inaccurate information given to it.
Thompson had also been questioned by MPs about board bonuses and suggestions he made a mistake in giving £400mln to shareholders via a special dividend in late 2021.
CWU officials, also at the meeting, argued that its dispute with Royal Mail "clearly is not an issue of affordability," in light of dividend payouts, as well as bonuses and higher salaries for senior staff members.