Latest news with #Stepney
The Independent
14-06-2025
- The Independent
He's fighting to clear his name for murder he says he didn't commit. But star witness still hasn't been contacted
It has been almost 18 months since Jason Moore submitted vital new evidence to the miscarriage of justice watchdog in a bid to overturn his murder conviction - but he is still no closer to freedom. The only witness to the crime had revealed he was drunk and was not sure if he identified the right man in an astonishing admission which Moore hopes could finally clear his name after 12 years in prison for a crime he insists he did not commit. But in nearly a year and a half the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), which has just been put under 'urgent review' by the justice secretary, has failed to even speak to the witness. Frustrated at the lack of action, the Revd Dr Joanne Grenfell, Bishop of Stepney, stepped in to help. When she tried to contact Abdul Ahmed, who in 2023 revealed his doubts to an investigative journalist, she found him at home after simply knocking on his front door twice, The Independent can reveal. The bishop said the failure to carry out the most basic enquiries leaves her 'seriously concerned about the ability of the CCRC to do justice for anyone' as Moore languishes in prison. 'It wasn't that difficult, I went in the morning and he was there,' said Bishop Joanne, who is backing Moore's campaign for freedom. 'It's quite incredible that no one has been persistent in doing that. He clearly lives there and has lived there for quite a while.' She said the CCRC's efforts to contact Mr Ahmed were 'not good enough' as she hit out at the review body, which has come under sustained fire for its handling of other cases, including that of Andrew Malkinson who spent 17 years in prison for a rape he did not commit. Last week, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood installed former victims' commissioner Dame Vera Baird as interim chair and ordered her to carry out an urgent review of the body, whose chief executive Karen Kneller has admitted she only goes to the office 'maybe one or two days every couple of months or so' while drawing an £130,000 taxpayer funded salary. MPs last month called for her step down after she was accused of misleading the justice committee as they quizzed her over the CCRC's handling of Mr Malkinson's wrongful conviction. An investigation led by Chris Henley KC found he could have been exonerated 10 years earlier if not for serious failings by the review board. He said it was 'absolutely shocking' that investigators had failed to establish contact with Mr Ahmed in 18 months since Moore's application, adding: 'Nobody should have to have to wait that amount of time.' He told The Independent the CCRC needs 'energetic, focussed and rigorous leadership' to properly investigate alleged miscarriages of justice. 'Every day when there's a lethargic approach – and there was lots of this in Mr Malkinson's case – is a day someone is losing from their life and that has to be at the forefront of the work of the CCRC,' he told The Independent. In a message from HMP Oakwood in Wolverhampton, Moore accused the CCRC's leaders of treating 'people's lives like they are toys', adding: 'To keep people in prison when you have evidence that exonerates them is a form of evil that needs to be squashed.' His sister Kirstie described the CCRC as 'shambolic' as she hit out at a string of excuses from the commissioner who is supposed to be examining his case. 'My brother's freedom hinges on the independence and diligence of the CCRC,' she told The Independent. 'They are our last hope when justice fails. Yet 18 months have passed, and the CCRC has nothing to show—no sign of a single effort, only a relentless succession of excuses. And still, Jason is the one paying the price for their weary resignation and neglect. 'To 'try' means to act—and thank God for Bishop Joanne Grenfell, who did just that. She knocked twice, and her efforts brought the witness to the door.' Moore, a former professional gambler, 53, claims he has been wrongly convicted of the 2005 stabbing of Robert Darby outside a pub in London's east end. A string of high-profile supporters, including Mr Darby's brother, Bishop Joanne and cricket legend Sir Ian Botham, have backed his bid to overturn his conviction Miscarriage of justice campaigner Lord Nicholas Monson, who has visited Moore in prison and is backing his fight, said such apathy makes it seem like the CCRC simply 'doesn't care'. 'These people are put in jobs to root out injustice and they are doing the opposite,' he added. Chairman of the justice committee Andy Slaughter welcomed the appointment of Dame Vera to carry out a 'much-needed' review of the CCRC, after the committee outlined 'strong concerns about how investigations were operating' in a report last month. A CCRC spokesperson said: "We have received an application in relation to this case and a review is underway. "We have made repeated efforts to contact all relevant parties. These efforts will continue. "It would be inappropriate for us to discuss the application further at this stage."
The Independent
01-03-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Texas GOP leaders defend appointee after tense exchange over diversity hiring
An appointee of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott wiped away tears and gave an emotional defense of her credentials after a tense exchange over diversity hiring policies, which was later followed by the state's top Republicans rushing to support her publicly. Texas Water Board Development Chair L'Oreal Stepney, who is Black, was consoled at one point by lawmakers after the exchange Thursday with GOP state Rep. Brian Harrison, who questioned her and other agency officials over their hiring practices. Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dustin Burrows, who are all Republicans, later issued statements of support for Stepney and her service, while other GOP lawmakers criticized Harrison over the exchange. 'While passionate and open discussion will always be welcomed, comments that demean and belittle will never be tolerated," Republican state Rep. Greg Bonnen, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, posted on X. Harrison is an outspoken critic of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in state government. He questioned Stepney and Edna Jackson, who is also Black, over a line in the agency's strategic plan that its workforce should reflect the state's growing diversity. Harrison did not directly question the credentials of Stepney or any other agency workers during the hearing. On Friday, he defended his questioning during the hearing. 'My line of questioning was perfect and professional,' said Harrison, adding that he had posed similar questions to dozens of other agency heads. 'It was Democrats on the committee who raised the issue of her qualifications. I never said a word about it.' Harrison's line of questioning prompted Democratic state Rep. Nicole Collier, who is Black, to express her outrage at having 'to watch two Black women have to defend 246 years of systemic racism.' Stepney then delivered an emotional defense of her credentials to the panel. She said March would mark 33 years working for the state and listed off her two engineering degrees from the University of Texas at Austin, one in aerospace engineering and the other in civil engineering. 'It was a deep honor for me to be appointed to the board, to be confirmed by the board, and to be appointed chair,' she said. "I have always been grateful to the governor. What have I done? I have protected the drinking water supply of 31 million Texans."
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Texas GOP leaders defend appointee after tense exchange over diversity hiring
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — An appointee of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott wiped away tears and gave an emotional defense of her credentials after a tense exchange over diversity hiring policies, which was later followed by the state's top Republicans rushing to support her publicly. Texas Water Board Development Chair L'Oreal Stepney, who is Black, was consoled at one point by lawmakers after the exchange Thursday with GOP state Rep. Brian Harrison, who questioned her and other agency officials over their hiring practices. Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dustin Burrows, who are all Republicans, later issued statements of support for Stepney and her service, while other GOP lawmakers criticized Harrison over the exchange. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. 'While passionate and open discussion will always be welcomed, comments that demean and belittle will never be tolerated," Republican state Rep. Greg Bonnen, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, posted on X. Harrison is an outspoken critic of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in state government. He questioned Stepney and Edna Jackson, who is also Black, over a line in the agency's strategic plan that its workforce should reflect the state's growing diversity. Harrison did not directly question the credentials of Stepney or any other agency workers during the hearing. On Friday, he defended his questioning during the hearing. 'My line of questioning was perfect and professional,' said Harrison, adding that he had posed similar questions to dozens of other agency heads. 'It was Democrats on the committee who raised the issue of her qualifications. I never said a word about it.' Harrison's line of questioning prompted Democratic state Rep. Nicole Collier, who is Black, to express her outrage at having 'to watch two Black women have to defend 246 years of systemic racism.' Stepney then delivered an emotional defense of her credentials to the panel. She said March would mark 33 years working for the state and listed off her two engineering degrees from the University of Texas at Austin, one in aerospace engineering and the other in civil engineering. 'It was a deep honor for me to be appointed to the board, to be confirmed by the board, and to be appointed chair,' she said. "I have always been grateful to the governor. What have I done? I have protected the drinking water supply of 31 million Texans."
Associated Press
01-03-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Texas GOP leaders defend appointee after tense exchange over diversity hiring
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — An appointee of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott wiped away tears and gave an emotional defense of her credentials after a tense exchange over diversity hiring policies, which was later followed by the state's top Republicans rushing to support her publicly. Texas Water Board Development Chair L'Oreal Stepney, who is Black, was consoled at one point by lawmakers after the exchange Thursday with GOP state Rep. Brian Harrison, who questioned her and other agency officials over their hiring practices. Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dustin Burrows, who are all Republicans, later issued statements of support for Stepney and her service, while other GOP lawmakers criticized Harrison over the exchange. 'While passionate and open discussion will always be welcomed, comments that demean and belittle will never be tolerated,' Republican state Rep. Greg Bonnen, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, posted on X. Harrison is an outspoken critic of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in state government. He questioned Stepney and Edna Jackson, who is also Black, over a line in the agency's strategic plan that its workforce should reflect the state's growing diversity. Harrison did not directly question the credentials of Stepney or any other agency workers during the hearing. On Friday, he defended his questioning during the hearing. 'My line of questioning was perfect and professional,' said Harrison, adding that he had posed similar questions to dozens of other agency heads. 'It was Democrats on the committee who raised the issue of her qualifications. I never said a word about it.' Harrison's line of questioning prompted Democratic state Rep. Nicole Collier, who is Black, to express her outrage at having 'to watch two Black women have to defend 246 years of systemic racism.' Stepney then delivered an emotional defense of her credentials to the panel. She said March would mark 33 years working for the state and listed off her two engineering degrees from the University of Texas at Austin, one in aerospace engineering and the other in civil engineering. 'It was a deep honor for me to be appointed to the board, to be confirmed by the board, and to be appointed chair,' she said. 'I have always been grateful to the governor. What have I done? I have protected the drinking water supply of 31 million Texans.'
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Texas leaders defend Black official after lawmaker's public interrogation of DEI policies left her in tears
Texas Water Development Board Chair L'Oreal Stepney wiped tears from her eyes Tuesday as a House hearing turned into a tense line of questioning over race and the future of state hiring practices. The exchange left Stepney visibly distraught, ignited a broader discussion about political rhetoric and respect in state government and caught the eye of Texas' 'Big Three' — Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dustin Burrows. During an appropriations subcommittee meeting, where state agencies present their financial requests for the next state budget, Rep. Brian Harrison, R-Midlothian, pressed TWDB officials, including Stepney and another Black official, Edna Jackson, on whether the agency's hiring policies prioritized diversity over merit. Hours after Stepney and Democrats on the committee defended her experience and record during the hearing, the state's three top officials also weighed in, in support of Stepney. Each of them sidestepped any direct comment on race or hiring while making clear they broadly support her qualifications and service. In an interview on Wednesday, Harrison said he never challenged Stepney's qualifications and he defended his line of questions as 'perfect.' The hearing turned tense when Harrison pushed Stepney on the water board's written plan favoring a diverse workforce. 'I'm unaware of any statute or regulation that requires your agency to engage in race-based employment determinations that require you to mirror the diversity of society in general,' Harrison said. '...I would believe this is facially unconstitutional because we should not be discriminating on the basis of race for employment decisions, certainly not in jobs that are subsidized by my taxpayers.' Citing language in the board's strategic plan that calls for staff to mirror the diversity of Texas, Harrison suggested this amounted to unconstitutional, race-based hiring. He pointed to an Abbott executive order last year telling state agencies to stop considering DEI initiatives in hiring, fueling tensions over how state hiring and funding decisions should be made. The diversity, equity, and inclusion policies support groups that have been historically underrepresented or discriminated against. Although Abbott has been vocal in opposing policies on DEI, the governor's public comment Tuesday evening simply voiced support for his appointee Stepney. On social media, Abbott wrote: 'Water is one of the most important issues that the State of Texas will address this session. There is no one better and no one I have more confidence in to lead and implement our water solutions than TWDB Chairwoman L'Oreal Stepney.' At the hearing, the exchange drew in Rep. Nicole Collier, D-Fort Worth, who called out what she saw as an unfair and aggressive line of questioning and forcefully defended Stepney's credentials. 'The need to correct 246 years of systemic racism when we had slavery is offensive,' Collier said. 'It's offensive to me and it's offensive to all Black people.' 'So I want to thank you so much for doing your job based on your qualifications as a person. And I appreciate you and I see you. And I said that for not just myself, I said it for all Black women and all women because sometimes we all get, we all get the short end of the stick on that.' Collier and the chair of the subcommittee Rep. Armando Walle, D-Houston, stood up and brought tissues to Stepney, who was fighting back tears. After a moment Stepney then found herself defending not only her agency's work but her own qualifications and dedication to Texas. She pointed to her two degrees from UT-Austin in civil and aerospace engineering and her more than three decades of experience managing the state's most 'precious resource.' 'I am never this emotional, and I respect, I respect the Legislature so much,' Stepney said. 'But what have I done? I have protected the drinking water supply of 31 million Texans.' 'Wastewater treatment facilities? I was responsible for issuing 600 of them a year. There's 3,500 in Texas. There's 7,000 drinking water facilities in Texas. It was my responsibility to make sure that they were done. They not only protected the environment, but they protected the economy of Texas.' Though Harrison never directly accused Stepney of being a DEI hire, the intensity of his questioning, particularly toward the two Black women representing TWDB, crystallized an ongoing political fight over DEI policies in Texas — a battle that is increasingly shaping how the state approaches hiring, governance, and public services. The incident also highlighted the intensifying political rhetoric around DEI policies in Texas government. Harrison has positioned himself in recent months as the chief opponent of anything related to DEI — for example, regularly identifying and targeting universities on social media for curriculum offerings about diversity, even though such courses are not banned under current state law. The discussion including pushback from Democrats grew intense at the Tuesday hearing. 'We've reached our goddamned limit already to attacks on people's character, on people's qualifications, based on only one single thing: the color of their skin,' Walle said. 'We're proud Americans… That flag, it belongs to all of us… So I call on my colleagues to quit those attacks.' Lt. Gov. Patrick also went public with praise for Stepney Tuesday evening in a social media post that called her 'one of the most respected, experienced, and talented water experts in the nation.' Harrison's questioning raised concerns about how such debates are conducted. Burrows, R-Lubbock, weighed in as well, issuing a statement on Twitter/X that underscored the importance of respectful discourse. 'House Members are afforded great latitude to ask probing questions; however, I expect all public servants to be treated with utmost respect and decency in the Texas House,' Burrows said, adding that he had personally reached out to Stepney to express appreciation for her service. Harrison has asked other state agencies, including the Texas Department of Transportation, similar questions about their DEI policies. Asked in an interview with The Texas Tribune on Wednesday about the exchange at the hearing, he called his questions 'perfect' and 'professional.' He said he did not question Stepney's qualifications, but just asked questions about policies. 'There clearly was a decision to coordinate a completely dishonest smear campaign because I'm exposing government sanctioned DEI,' Harrison said. 'I'm not backing down. I'm going to keep fighting. Texans deserve it. Texans do not want their hard earned tax dollars used for racially discriminatory employment practices.' We can't wait to welcome you to the 15th annual Texas Tribune Festival, Texas' breakout ideas and politics event happening Nov. 13–15 in downtown Austin. Step inside the conversations shaping the future of education, the economy, health care, energy, technology, public safety, culture, the arts and so much more. Hear from our CEO, Sonal Shah, on TribFest 2025. TribFest 2025 is presented by JPMorganChase.
