Michael Ward's letter that he sent to Dame Vera Baird, interim Chair, CCRC urging an investigation into his complaints about the way his applications have been handled

Dame Vera Baird, interim Chair, CCRC

Dear Dame Vera,

My name is Michael Ward. My case reference is [Redacted]

Set out below is a link to an Open Letter written by me which was published two days ago on Dr Michael Naugton’s CCRC Watch. The Open Letter comprises the contents of a letter I sent recently to Mr Malachy Bernard, the CCRC Case Review Manager on my case(s). [I requested Dr Naughton to leave blank the identity of the Case Review Manager and I am grateful to him that he did so]. 

 Michael Ward writes an Open Letter of complaint to the CCRC: "I possess what I say is incontrovertible documentary evidence of lies and cover up at the CCRC"

At first blush, it may appear that the criticisms of the CCRC which are made in my Open Letter are of the same species as others reported upon by CCRC Watch and by a host of other commentators.

This is not true.

The reason I am drawing your attention to my Open Letter is because the complaints I make are different in species to those made by all other complainants in other cases - and, I say, far more serious in terms of species of misconduct.

Whereas others complain of the CCRC’s alleged incompetence, indifference, its failure to carry out necessary investigations, and even what they refer to as “dishonesty”, I am not aware of a single case ever handled by the CCRC (other than mine) in which the complainant has advanced allegations of the CCRC having conspired (with other authorities, including judges) to deny me references to the Court of Appeal for grossly improper “political reasons”.

The “ordinary” complaints of others cry out for the CCRC’s systems to be improved including, perhaps, the replacement of the real possibility test with a more appropriate one.

The latter complaints (mine) amount to the CCRC’s deliberate violation of the central purposes behind the CCRC’s existence. If true (and they are true) this cries out for major investigation and for the prosecution of those who have perpetrated the misconduct, enabled it, or covered it up. 

It is difficult to image more serious allegations being advanced against a country’s miscarriage of justice organisation.

The criminal justice system could become irreparably harmed if it was to emerge that the CCRC participated in a conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, supported by judges, in order to prevent a person’s convictions being quashed.

I promise you that I will do so.

This is exactly what happened in my case - and what appears still to be happening. 

I urge you to order a thorough investigation into my complaints, almost certainly by an independent party - a barrister or such. For twenty years or more, the CCRC has refused to do so. It has refused to report the matter to the Police.

Persons in my position are thrilled that someone such as you has been appointed to the task of getting the CCRC to clean up its act. Personally, I hang upon your every word when you speak of your determination to radically improve the CCRC.

My life, and my family’s life, has been wrecked by the CCRC. The lives of my family and me are as precious to us as your life is precious to you.

It would be a terrible, terrible shame if all the good work I am certain you are doing behind the scenes was to be ruined by a failure to insist upon a thorough and independent investigation into the hugely serious complaints I have long been pressing (which I contend judges have helped to whitewash).

What have you got to lose by demanding a thorough investigation into my complaints of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice on the part of past CCRC officials? 

If you doubt my word, why not set up a preliminary enquiry to test whether I am demented and my complaints wholly illusory and unsupported in evidence?

I cannot imagine the Public accepting excuses such as monetary constraints in the face of such serious complaints, likely unique complaints.

I do not seek a reply to this letter. 

However, for your own benefit and for the Public benefit, I beg you to act upon it. One way or another, you and the Public will be hearing about it in detail.

Yours sincerely,

Michael Ward