CCRC Chief Resigns Amid Fallout Over Andrew Malkinson Case
Karen Kneller, the long-serving chief executive of the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), has stepped down after a torrent of criticism linked to the commission’s failure in the wrongful conviction of Andrew Malkinson. Her resignation marks the second high-profile exit from the embattled organization in 2025.
The CCRC, which investigates potential miscarriages of justice in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, has faced sharp scrutiny following revelations that it twice rejected Malkinson’s appeals, even as clear flaws in the evidence emerged. The 59-year-old spent 17 years in prison for a rape he did not commit.
Backlash Over Malkinson Case Sparks Leadership Shakeup
Kneller’s resignation follows mounting pressure from MPs and the legal community. In May, the Justice Select Committee released a scathing report, accusing the CCRC of failing to learn from its mistakes. The committee openly called for Kneller’s departure.
Her exit comes months after Helen Pitcher, the former CCRC chair, also resigned in January after an independent review found the body had let Malkinson down by not pursuing DNA testing that ultimately exonerated him.
Malkinson had been convicted of a 2003 rape in Greater Manchester despite the absence of DNA evidence linking him to the crime. His case was only referred to the Court of Appeal in January 2023 and overturned in July that year. A subsequent review found that if the CCRC had acted promptly, he could have been freed a decade earlier.
The DNA later tied the assault to another suspect, reinforcing criticisms that the commission failed in its core mandate.
Public Trust in CCRC at Stake
Dame Vera Baird, who became chair of the CCRC in June, acknowledged the erosion of public confidence in the agency. “The CCRC has a vital role to play in the criminal justice system, but confidence in the organisation has been badly damaged,” she said. “It must be restored.”
Baird pledged sweeping reforms and assured the public that the commission’s role in upholding justice would not be compromised.
In light of Malkinson’s exoneration, the CCRC is now re-examining thousands of cases it previously declined, specifically those where DNA evidence might challenge existing convictions.
Legal charity Appeal, which supported Malkinson’s case, welcomed Kneller’s resignation. Matt Foot, co-director of the group, called it “long overdue” and emphasized the need for “a completely fresh senior leadership team” committed to righting past wrongs.
What’s Next for the CCRC?
Amanda Pearce, currently Director of Casework Operations at the CCRC, has been named interim chief executive. Her immediate challenge will be to oversee the DNA case review process while rebuilding trust with the public and legal professionals alike.
Meanwhile, political and legal leaders continue to call for a broader overhaul of the CCRC, citing structural flaws, lack of urgency, and a failure to challenge wrongful convictions aggressively.
As the agency faces its most critical reform period in decades, all eyes are now on how effectively it can transform its culture, procedures, and leadership.
For more updates on UK legal reforms, visit Nyongesa Sande’s Legal Affairs section.
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Read the full report on Kneller’s resignation here.
