package python2-minimal 2.7.18-3 failed to install/upgrade: installed python2-minimal package post-installation script subprocess returned error exit status 1

when upgrading from 20.04 to 22.04 the updater throws an error relating to python2 (see report attached)

ProblemType: Package
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 20.04
Package: python2-minimal 2.7.18-3
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 5.15.0-46.49-generic 5.15.39
Uname: Linux 5.15.0-46-generic x86_64
NonfreeKernelModules: nvidia_uvm nvidia
ApportVersion: 2.20.11-0ubuntu82.1
Architecture: amd64
CasperMD5CheckResult: pass
Date: Sun Nov 27 10:19:16 2022
DuplicateSignature:
 package:python2-minimal:2.7.18-3
 Setting up python2-minimal (2.7.18-3) ...
 dpkg: error processing package python2-minimal (--configure):
  installed python2-minimal package post-installation script subprocess returned error exit status 1
ErrorMessage: installed python2-minimal package post-installation script subprocess returned error exit status 1
InstallationDate: Installed on 2021-07-06 (509 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu-Server 20.04.2 LTS "Focal Fossa" - Release amd64 (20210201.2)
Python3Details: /usr/bin/python3.10, Python 3.10.6, python3-minimal, 3.10.6-1~22.04
PythonDetails: /usr/bin/python2.7, Python 3.3.3, python-is-python2, 2.7.17-4
RebootRequiredPkgs: Error: path contained symlinks.
RelatedPackageVersions:
 dpkg 1.21.1ubuntu2.1
 apt 2.0.9
SourcePackage: python-defaults
Title: package python2-minimal 2.7.18-3 failed to install/upgrade: installed python2-minimal package post-installation script subprocess returned error exit status 1
UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to focal on 2022-11-27 (0 days ago)