Fujitsu defended its continued profitability from government contracts amidst the ongoing Post Office Horizon scandal, with its European chief executive, Paul Patterson, asserting the company was "not a parasite." This statement came as Patterson faced scrutiny from the Business and Trade Committee regarding the £500 million in contract extensions Fujitsu had received despite its Horizon software being central to the wrongful prosecution of over 900 sub-postmasters.

Patterson highlighted that the government had the discretion to extend or terminate contracts, implying Fujitsu's continued involvement was a result of government decisions. However, he repeatedly declined to specify how much Fujitsu would contribute to the £1.8 billion redress scheme established for victims, a scheme currently funded by taxpayers.

The Horizon scandal has significantly impacted Fujitsu's reputation and raised questions about its future business prospects in the UK public sector. While the company has stated it will not bid for new government contracts, the existing £500 million in extensions represents a substantial revenue stream. The market is closely watching how the government will balance its need for reliable IT infrastructure with the ethical considerations surrounding Fujitsu's role in the miscarriage of justice.

Fujitsu, a multinational information technology equipment and services company, has been a key technology provider for the UK government for many years. The Horizon system, implemented in Post Office branches, was intended to streamline operations but instead led to widespread accounting errors and wrongful accusations of theft against sub-postmasters. The scandal has triggered a public inquiry and significant legal challenges, exposing flaws in the system's design and implementation.

The future remains uncertain for Fujitsu's government contracts. While the existing extensions provide a degree of stability, the ongoing public inquiry and potential for further legal action could lead to increased pressure on the government to sever ties with the company. The financial implications of the scandal, including potential contributions to the redress scheme, could also significantly impact Fujitsu's profitability in the UK market.