Karen Kneller, the chief executive of the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), has resigned following intense scrutiny over the handling of one of the most significant miscarriages of justice in British history. Her departure comes after the exoneration of Andrew Malkinson, who spent 17 years in prison for a rape he did not commit.

Background of the Malkinson Case

Andrew Malkinson was wrongfully convicted of a 2003 rape in Greater Manchester, despite the absence of DNA evidence linking him to the crime. His conviction was overturned in July 2023, after new DNA testing identified another suspect. The CCRC had twice rejected Malkinson's appeals, delaying his exoneration by nearly a decade. This case has prompted the CCRC to review thousands of similar cases where DNA evidence could potentially overturn convictions.

Leadership and Financial Controversies

Kneller's resignation follows revelations about her expenditure of public funds on luxury courses at the Insead business school in France, where the former CCRC chair, Helen Pitcher, held positions. This spending, approved by the Ministry of Justice, raised questions about the CCRC's use of resources. Pitcher herself resigned in January after an independent panel criticized the CCRC's handling of the Malkinson case.

Restoring Public Confidence

The CCRC, under interim chief executive Amanda Pearce, faces the challenge of restoring public trust. Dame Vera Baird, the newly appointed chair, emphasized the need to rebuild confidence in the organization. Legal charity Appeal, which represented Malkinson, has called for a complete overhaul of the CCRC's leadership to ensure effectiveness in addressing miscarriages of justice.