Paula Vennells' final day of evidence saw 'the mask slip' and a wrath of fire unleashed

The former chief exec of the Post Office found herself in a firestorm with no escape as she faced barrister's questions on behalf of subpostmasters.

Pic: Evan Dale

The former CEO was grilled by lawyers asking questions on behalf of sub-postmasters.

On the same day 700 subpostmasters convictions were quashed in Westminster, as part of 'parliamentary wash-up' - Paula Vennells found decades worth of emails and uncomfortable truths washed up at her feet.

The inquiry began with the thundering voice of Ed Henry KC commanding the room's attention, his first line of questioning simple - but epitomized her time at the helm of one of Britain's most trusted institutions:

"There were so many forks in the road… but you always took the wrong one," he said.

Ms Vennells explained how she did her job with 'compassion'.

Though Mr Henry KC quickly shut her down, calling it "humbug" and accused her of living in "la la land" - suggesting her witness statement was "a craven, self-serving account".

The main focus of lawyers' questions was on 2013, a time when senior figures within the Post Office were made aware of issues with Horizon IT system.

A time which, if this knowledge was made public, could have seen convictions 'unsafe', paving the way for appeals and compensation paid.

A time which may have caused motivation within the Post Office to "control the narrative" and engage in a "corporate coverup", as suggested by lawyers.

When asked on her knowledge, Ms Vennells said she "can't recall" and was "too trusting" of others to pass on information to her - claims met with gasps and exasperation in the inquiry room.

But lawyers presented her with emails from PR expert Mark Davies, telling her if they looked into past prosecutions, it would be 'front-page news' and have 'ballistic' consequences.

An email sent to Paula Vennells from Mark Davies talking about the consequences of looking into past prosecutions.

Ms Vennells agreed this was a "grossly improper perspective", but was shown her response, in which she claimed the number one priority was to 'manage the media'.

Audible exasperation from the inquiry room filled the air, with the chair of the inquiry Sir Wyn Williams, feeling minded to intervene.

Later, we heard from Tim Maloney KC, a lawyer who acts on behalf of Jo Hamilton and other subpostmasters.

He dealt Ms Vennells even more deadly blows and left her trying to piece together any shred of her reputation which remained intact.

He took her to an email she had written shortly after a television programme was aired about the issues with Horizon and the wrongful prosecutions of subpostmasters.

In the email, she claimed, "Jo Hamilton lacked passion" and was "more bored than outraged" - referring to the same Jo Hamilton who has been a persistent advocate on this.

Pic: Evan Dale | Jo Hamilton leaving the Post Office Inquiry

Ms Vennells issued an apology to Ms Hamilton but was drowned out briefly by the boos filling the air.

The apology now feeling hollower than her previous ones.

She was asked if "the mask slipped" and if this was how she truly felt about subpostmasters, she says she "made a mistake".

Jo Hamilton spoke to Sky News afterwards and said the apology was "because she couldn't do anything else".

In other words, Ms Vennells was in a firestorm with no escape.

The inquiry continues after a week's break.