APPG on Miscarriages of Justice

On Monday we heard from a formidable panel about the issue of compensation for victims of miscarriages of justice Thank you @NeilHudgell @laura_tilt & Jodie Blackstock of @JUSTICEhq & especially to @JoHamil73963257 for sharing her story 🙏 Watch it here: bit.ly/3yFh584

At last the full report on Daniel Morgan death to be published today @APPGMJ why was the Home Secretary so reluctant to do this?

Is it finally time for @Law_Commission to take a look at criminal appeals process? @ccrcupdate backs @APPGMJ calls for a review in response to Westminster Commission report - as well 'substantial injustice' test currently blocking #jointenterprise appeals thejusticegap.com/the-miscarriag…

@laura_tilt @Barristerblog @appg It was recorded and will be uploaded to YouTube tomorrow. We will tweet it out!

JB: There are other ways of doing this. We don't need to wait for Strasbourg to decide this one way or the other and Parliament can decide to reform the area independently.

Sam Hallam and Victor Nealon's cases where new evidence, but unable to demonstrate conclusively their innocence. JUSTICE is arguing this questions the validity of the acquittal. For everyday people, they may be likely to think a person guilty when the acquittal is not accepted.

JB: Massive hurdles in both the CCRC and before the Court of Appeal. If those are cleared, there is euphoria as their convictions can be quashed. But they still have to convince the Secretary of State of their innocence: not the question which has been asked to that point.

Jodie Blackstock @JUSTICEhq: "We have a system now for compensation for miscarriages of justice which simply is not working."

She lost her shop, couldn't get employment and worked as a cleaner in the village "that was the best work I could get with a criminal record for fraud"

"I was one of the fortunate ones" - they couldn't take her house because it was co-owned with her mum. Charged with theft of £36k but pleaded guilty to false accounting Thankfully, she had the support of her community.

@JoHamil73963257 is telling her story #PostOfficeScandal

Now hearing from @NeilHudgell who represented many sub-post mistresses and sub-post masters in one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in the the UK. #PostOfficeScandal

People who can been wrongfully convicted have been asked if they had received compensation - as if it makes people more legitimate than those that have not. But the law - under s.133 Criminal Justice Act 1988 - makes it almost impossible to get compensation.

Panel event is on now! We are hearing from @laura_tilt about the impact of miscarriages of justice on people's lives. 94% of survivors rely on benefits. Also major impacts on psychological state, housing and employment

Compensation assists in helping people to put their lives back together. Those that receive compensation were able to provide a roof over their heads and rebuild their 'social capital'.

We will be hearing from @JoHamil73963257 - one sub-post mistress whose conviction was overturned last month in the #PostOfficeScandal - about the impact that it had on her life. As well as @NeilHudgell @laura_tilt and Jodie Blackstock of @JUSTICEhq

📢EVENT TONIGHT AT 5PM📢 Make sure you sign up for this fascinating panel on 'Rebuilding from the Rubble: Compensation for Miscarriages of Justice'. Discussing the #PostOfficeScandal + current ECHR claims. #success" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">parliament-uk.zoom.us/j/9455345073#s…

Update: MPs will discuss the proposal of reasoned verdicts this week, with @BarrySheerman raising the "serious" issue with @APPGMJ colleagues - but @MoJGovUK is concerned about the effects it could have on trials and has "no plans to make these changes": inews.co.uk/news/mps-parli…

We call on Justice Minister @RobertBuckland to urgently respond to @BarrySheerman's letter proposing changes that will bring miscarriages of justice, like those in the #PostOfficeScandal, to light more quickly & give compensation to victims. @APPGMJ