Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst MP has today issued a statement following the Justice Select Committee’s publication of its latest report into the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), expressing grave concerns about the body’s leadership, governance, and performance.
The CCRC, established to investigate potential miscarriages of justice, is a vital safeguard in the UK’s legal system. Yet, under the current Chair, serious failings have emerged which have had devastating consequences for innocent individuals.
The Commission is entrusted with one of the most solemn responsibilities in our democracy, intervening when the justice system gets it wrong. But under its current leadership, it has faltered,” said Dr Shastri-Hurst. “The Committee’s inquiry uncovered slow referral processes, opaque decision-making, and a troubling lack of strategic direction. When asked to account for performance and vision, the Chair failed to provide meaningful answers.
The report highlights specific failings, including the cases of Peter Sullivan, who spent 38 years in prison for a crime he did not commit, and Andrew Malkinson, who was twice denied a review by the CCRC before being exonerated after serving 17 years for a wrongful conviction.
These are not just statistics. These are human lives upended by the system that should have protected them,” Dr Shastri-Hurst said. “The CCRC, in its current form, is no longer fulfilling its fundamental duty.
The Justice Select Committee, of which Dr. Neil Shastri-Hurst MP is a member, has formally called for a change in leadership. The report concludes that without urgent reform, the CCRC risks becoming a barrier to justice rather than a bulwark against injustice.
As a member of the Committee, I am committed to restoring trust in the CCRC. This means new leadership, stronger governance, and a renewed dedication to transparency, fairness, and urgency. Justice delayed or denied is justice betrayed—and we cannot allow that to continue.
The report can be accessed in full here: https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/48089/documents/251384/default/
