Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 8
8
Acknowledged
CCRC leadership's handling of Henley report demonstrates utter incompetence and spectacular failure.
Conclusion
The leadership’s handling of the Henley report was utterly incompetent. The level of delay and the attempt to minimise the damage to the CCRC’s reputation were a spectacular failure of leadership. (Conclusion, Paragraph 38)
Government Response Summary
The government notes Ms Kneller's resignation and agrees the handling of the report damaged the CCRC's reputation. It states that an interim Chair's review is underway to evaluate senior leadership capability and 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.