Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 5
5
Acknowledged
Karen Kneller misrepresented reasons for Chris Webb's resignation over Henley report publication delays.
Conclusion
Chris Webb’s resignation letter to Karen Kneller set out several concerns over the delays to the publication of the Henley report. When asked about the reason why Chris Webb resigned in the evidence session on 29 April, Karen Kneller’s answers did not reflect the content of Chris Webb’s resignation letter. Karen Kneller’s responses indicated that she was aware that he had “hoped the report would have been published earlier”. Karen Kneller has since provided clarification to us as to the intention of her answers to this line of questioning. However, in our view Karen Kneller’s answers misrepresented the true position, which was that Chris Webb had communicated significant concerns over both the causes and consequences of the delays to the publication of the report. (Conclusion, Paragraph 29)
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the committee's concerns about Karen Kneller's performance and evidence, noting her resignation and the ongoing review by the interim Chair, which includes an evaluation of the senior leadership team to restore public confidence.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
Your report refers to concerns regarding the performance of and evidence given to the Committee by the CCRC’s then Chief Executive, Karen Kneller. The report concluded that it was not tenable for her to continue in her position. Ms Kneller resigned from her role on 2 July 2025. This marks an opportunity for the CCRC to refresh its leadership and for confidence to be restored to the organisation. The Ministry of Justice will, as we do with all our public bodies, work constructively with and provide appropriate support to the interim Chief Executive, and the next permanent Chief Executive when appointed. The Terms of Reference for the interim Chair’s review include: Capability: An evaluation of the senior leadership team should also be conducted to identify areas where further support or strengthening is needed, in order restore public confidence. Furthermore, we agree that the handling of these matters has damaged the reputation of the CCRC in the eyes of the public. One of the reasons the Lord Chancellor referred the previous Chair to the independent panel was that the Chair’s statements about Mr Malkinson’s case and the handling of the Henley report demonstrated a failure to inspire confidence in the role of the CCRC. The panel agreed that these actions amounted to failure to meet the terms of the appointment for the role of Chair. This led to the subsequent resignation of the Chair in January 2025.