The architect of the Post Office scandal has demanded immunity before breaking his silence on the faulty Horizon IT system.
Gareth Jenkins has so far failed to appear at a public inquiry on the debacle.
Jenkins, who is under police investigation for his role in the scandal engulfing the Post Office, is understood to have been instrumental in developing the software as a senior computer engineer at Fujitsu.
The 69-year-old claimed in court that the IT system was working correctly.
The Post Office scandal, including Fujitsu, is engulfing the country
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Jenkins' court testimony was central to convictions and repeatedly referenced by Post Office lawyers.
He told The Telegraph: “I don’t want to talk. I don’t have anything to say to you.”
Jenkins has twice requested any testimony to the inquiry cannot be used against him in any possible prosection.
He was due to give evidence to the public inquiry twice.
Jenkins' appearances were postponed, with his recent scheduled visit in November being pushed back after the Post Office disclosed 3,045 documents on the evening before he was due to give evidence.
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Former Post Office Chief Paula Vennells has handed back her CBE with 'immediate effect'PAJenkins put pressure on inquiry chairman Sir Wyn Williams to ask the Attorney General to grant him immunity.
Williams rejected the request, saying it “would restrict the use in criminal proceedings of evidence given to the inquiry, as requested by former Fujitsu engineer, Gareth Jenkins”.
He added: “I am satisfied that Mr Jenkins has not been the victim of unfairness as yet and I am determined that he should not become the victim of unfairness as the work of the inquiry progresses.”
Labour MP Kevan Jones, who is a member of the Horizon Compensation Advisory Board, claimed: “Gareth Jenkins should appear before the public inquiry. The inquiry sees him as a key witness and therefore he should give evidence. If he doesn’t appear then he should be made to appear."
Former Brexit Secretary David Davis added: “He should appear and give evidence. I can’t think in what world he imagines he should get immunity given the fact of the matter is we’re going to have to investigate what happened."
The Horizon IT scandal led to the wrongful prosecution of hundreds of sub-postmastersPOST OFFICEHowever, the 69-year-old's comments come after ex-Post Office chief executive Paula Vennells confirmed she will hand back her CBE.
Vennells said in a statement: “I have so far maintained my silence as I considered it inappropriate to comment publicly while the inquiry remains ongoing and before I have provided my oral evidence.
“I am, however, aware of the calls from sub-postmasters and others to return my CBE.
"I have listened and I confirm that I return my CBE with immediate effect.”
Vennells' decision ramps up pressure on Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey to return his knighthood.