16/10/00 - Criminal Cases Review Commission

Dear Mr Steele,
Thank you for your letter of 1st October 2000 two copies of Which were received here on 3rd and 5th October regarding your application to the Commission.

The Commission operates a Conflicts of Interest Register which records any conflict a member of the Commission or its staff may have with either an applicant or a particular case.This register restricts the level of involvement any individual may have with a case review.

I have noted that Mr Barrington was connected to your conviction and so have added this information to the register. As a result of this Mr Barrington will play no part in the review of your case either directly or by way of advising on your case, discussing it with staff or reading material.

You may be aware of the powers we have under the Criminal Appeal Act 1995 to obtain material from a public body. We have issued a notice under the act to the Essex Police and other bodies so that all the material concerning your conviction is now statutorily preserved.

I have also written to Essex Police informing them of the conflict which Mr Barrington has with your application to ensure that they make no inadvertent contact with Mr Barrington regarding your case.

We have no information on any complaint you may have made regarding Mr Barrington but complaints do fall under the provision of the Act and so will be preserved along with all other material.