The Andrew Malkinson Inquiry

Mr Malkinson spent more than 17 years in prison for a rape he did not commit, plus a further three under probation supervision before his conviction was overturned by the Court of Appeal in July 2023.

The Andrew Malkinson Inquiry will investigate the handling and role of Greater Manchester Police, the Crown Prosecution Service, and the Criminal Cases Review Commission. This will cover the handling of the case prior to Mr Malkinson’s conviction and his subsequent applications to appeal. The Inquiry shall set out lessons to be learned.

The Lord Chancellor, The Rt Hon Alex Chalk KC MP commented on the 26 October 2023:

“Mr Malkinson suffered an atrocious miscarriage of justice and I am determined to ensure that he and the original victim get the answers they deserve.

“I know that Her Honour Judge Munro KC, a senior and highly respected judge, will leave no stone unturned in getting to the bottom of what went wrong, so that vital lessons are learned.”

The Chair of the Inquiry, HHJ Sarah Munro KC said:

“I am honoured to be appointed to chair the Andrew Malkinson Inquiry. Mr Malkinson’s wrongful convictions for horrific crimes he did not commit have cost him nearly two decades of freedom – time he has been forced to spend protesting his innocence and fighting for justice – and have had a devastating impact on his life.

“The Inquiry will focus on the police investigation, criminal trial, Mr Malkinson’s appeals and any matters that I consider relevant and important to uncovering how and why this serious miscarriage of justice took place.

“Mr Malkinson deserves the truth, and I am determined that this Inquiry will be fearless and robust in seeking that truth and considering what lessons the justice system must learn.”

All agencies have pledged their full co-operation to the inquiry.