Andrew Malkinson ‘vindicated’ after resignation of case review board boss
Andrew Malkinson ‘vindicated’ after resignation of case review board boss
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Andrew Malkinson, who spent 17 years in prison after being wrongly convicted of rape, said he feels “vindicated” after the resignation of the head of the body which investigates potential miscarriages of justice. Mr Malkinson was jailed in 2004 until his conviction was quashed by the Court of Appeal in July last year.
Announcing her resignation on Tuesday, Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) chairwoman Helen Pitcher said she had been made a “scapegoat”, and claimed it is “unfair” she has been “singled out” in receiving the level of scrutiny that she has over her part in the litany of failings in Mr Malkinson’s case.
Speaking to Justin Webb on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Mr Malkinson said: “She’s been complaining that she’s been made a scapegoat, Justin, but I was made a scapegoat. “She has been made accountable, actually, and I feel vindicated.”. Mr Malkinson said he hopes Ms Pitcher’s departure will mark the beginning of a “root and branch” reform of the CCRC, adding he believes the organisation’s “entire culture” is “tainted”.
Ms Pitcher noted in her resignation letter to the Justice Secretary that the original rejection of Mr Malkinson’s appeal was “almost a decade before my time”, adding: “On my watch, armed with new DNA evidence which we commissioned, we were able to resolve the situation, and set Mr Malkinson free.”.
