Concerns Raised Over Criminal Cases Review Commission After Jason Moore’s Conviction

A senior bishop has called for urgent reform of the UK’s criminal appeals process after being deeply disturbed by the case of Jason Moore, a Canary Wharf man serving a life sentence for a murder he insists he did not commit.

The Bishop of Gloucester, Rachel Treweek, described Jason’s conviction as “extremely distressing and perturbing” and publicly questioned the government over the effectiveness of the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC).

Speaking in the House of Lords, she asked whether Labour planned to review the CCRC, which has faced growing scrutiny over its handling of potential wrongful convictions.

A Decade-Old Conviction Under Scrutiny

Jason Moore was convicted in 2013 of the 2005 stabbing of Robert Darby in Gants Hill, despite:

No forensic evidence linking him to the crime
Not matching witness descriptions of the suspect
Being identified by a single eyewitness—seven years later

Now, a decade on, that same eyewitness has admitted to an investigative journalist that he was drunk at the time and is no longer sure he picked the right man.

Adding to the controversy, Robert’s own family – including his brother Tim Darby – believe Jason is innocent and want his conviction overturned.

Bishops & Justice Campaigners Demand Action

The Bishop of Stepney, Joanne Grenfell, has been supporting the joint Moore and Darby family campaign to review the case.

After reviewing the details, Bishop Rachel said she was left wondering whether the CCRC was “fit for purpose” after it had:

Refused to reinvestigate Jason’s case
Declined to reinterview the eyewitness
Misstated basic facts when justifying their decision

“It seems clear that reform is needed,” she told Newsquest.

She added:

“My hope and prayer is that under new leadership, there might be a renewed vigour for justice, for victims and those believed to be falsely imprisoned.”

CCRC Under Fire for Multiple Wrongful Convictions

The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) is already facing heavy criticism after multiple wrongful convictions were exposed:

Andrew Malkinson – Spent 17 years in prison for a rape he did not commit because the CCRC failed to test DNA evidence that could have freed him a decade earlier.
Peter Sullivan – Behind bars for nearly 40 years, with fresh evidence suggesting he may be innocent. The CCRC failed to re-test DNA in his case almost 20 years ago.

CCRC chairwoman Helen Pitcher resigned last month following an independent review that found serious failings in how cases were handled.

Government Response & Future Review

In response to Bishop Rachel’s concerns, Lord Ponsonby, Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Ministry of Justice, said the government was awaiting the outcome of another independent review into the CCRC.

Meanwhile, the CCRC declined to comment on Jason Moore’s case, citing a live application based on new evidence uncovered by Newsquest.

However, a CCRC spokesperson admitted it had “let down” Andrew Malkinson and issued an apology. Regarding Peter Sullivan, it said forensic experts had advised in 2008 that DNA testing was “unlikely” to be successful.

Next Steps: Will Jason Moore Finally Get Justice?

With the CCRC facing growing calls for reform, campaigners hope that Jason Moore’s case will finally be re-examined.

The Moore and Darby families continue to push for his conviction to be overturned, insisting that an innocent man remains behind bars.