Postcomm conducted a 10-month investigation into the allegations The postal watchdog is considering taking action against Royal Mail after finding quality tests had been rigged.Postcomm, acting on an insider tip-off, found that addresses involved in testing deliveries in some areas had been passed on to staff. Staff had also learned to recognise test mail and were able to prioritise it to ensure it arrived on time. Royal Mail said the matter was a "local issue" and there had been no material impact on its performance figures. Postcomm's preliminary report said it was "minded" to find the company had breached its licence conditions for quality of service since 2006. Royal Mail was obliged to use market research firm Research International to monitor the standard of its service. Part of this clause also meant Royal Mail should make sure that the panellists used to send mail between each other to test delivery times remained anonymous. But a 10-month investigation, launched after the tip-off, found test delivery addresses were circulated to Royal Mail workers and senior managers.[Read more...]