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CCRC Chief Executive Resigns Following Malkinson Scandal

Her departure ushers in interim leaders alongside a broad audit of thousands of cases to rebuild trust in the watchdog

MPs called for Kneller’s resignation in May after describing her evidence to the Commons justice committee as “unpersuasive”
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Overview

  • Karen Kneller resigned as chief executive of the Criminal Cases Review Commission on July 2 following sustained criticism of her handling of the Andrew Malkinson miscarriage of justice.
  • The Lord Chancellor appointed Dame Vera Baird as interim chair and Amanda Pearce as interim chief executive to guide the commission through its leadership transition.
  • A Commons Justice Committee report labelled the CCRC’s leadership “incompetent” over delays in securing DNA evidence that could have freed Malkinson ten years earlier.
  • The commission has launched audits of thousands of past referrals after reports of procedural shortcomings and fully remote working policies that alarmed MPs.
  • The leadership shake-up follows a comprehensive review designed to revamp casework procedures and restore public trust in the UK’s justice watchdog.