Podcast Summary: "In The Dark" – Blood Relatives, Episode 6

Host: Heidi Blake (for The New Yorker)
Date: November 25, 2025
Episode Theme:
This final episode of "Blood Relatives" chronicles the climactic struggle and crushing disappointment of Jeremy Bamber’s decades-long campaign to overturn his conviction in the notorious White House Farm murders. The episode investigates the workings and failings of the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), the mounting evidence for Bamber’s innocence, and the system’s resistance to admitting error. It explores both the hopefulness and heartbreak of those fighting on Bamber's behalf, and the deep flaws in the UK’s post-conviction review process.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Wait for CCRC’s Decision

• Hopeful Anticipation
  • Heidi visits Philip Walker, director of Jeremy Bamber's Innocence Campaign.
  • Walker and Bamber express cautious optimism about the CCRC’s imminent decision after years of new evidence gathering.
    • “It’s become a fairly large part of my life now… I might have been a scratch golfer by now if things had worked out differently.” (Philip Walker, 02:18)
  • The case has seen a notable shift in public attitudes, including former skeptics such as local journalist David Woods.
    • “I always said to people I don't know what's going to happen but I know there's going to be a twist one day... maybe what you’ve done has done it.” (David Woods, 07:18)

Historic Scandal at the CCRC

• The Andrew Malkinson Case & Systemic Failures
  • The organization is embroiled in scandal due to historic failures, particularly the wrongful imprisonment of Andrew Malkinson.
  • CCRC’s workload, budget cuts, remote working culture, and leadership failure are detailed.
    • “Oh, I’m probably in the office maybe one or two days every couple of months or so.” (CCRC leadership, 12:21)
    • Lord Edward Garnier: “It was like watching a slow car crash.” (13:35)
    • Garnier describes the CCRC as essential for justice, yet also deeply compromised by deference and resource constraints.
    • “There will be a hard cohort of wrongly convicted people in prison who need a CCRC... to maintain a humane criminal justice system.” (Lord Garnier, 13:33)

Hope Turns to Protest

• Missed Deadlines and Public Outcry
  • The CCRC repeatedly misses announced decision dates.
    • “I’m shocked, appalled, and cannot believe that they’ve... missed their own deadline. I think it’s absolutely shocking, and I think it’s cruel, and I think that they are just unprofessional and useless.” (Jeremy Bamber, 14:56)
  • Bamber’s supporters organize a protest outside CCRC’s offices.
  • Wrongful conviction scholar Dennis Eady voices his doubts about systemic willingness to address injustice.
    • “You can't help thinking they're looking for a way not to refer it... the system does not want to admit its mistakes unless it's absolutely forced to.” (Dennis Eady, 19:00)

The CCRC’s Final Decision (21:05–37:25)

CCRC Rejects the Appeal

• Bamber, supporters, and reporting team receive the devastating news: the CCRC declines to refer his case to the Court of Appeal.
  • “I’m devastated, obviously, but I don’t know why they’ve made the decision. I just... I’m just lost for words, if I’m honest.” (Jeremy Bamber, 21:51)
• The decision document runs over 200 pages and is criticized for:
  • Demanding The New Yorker’s source materials (which were declined to uphold journalistic integrity).
  • Not interviewing key witnesses cited in the investigation—including those revealing crucial new evidence—and dismissing their first-hand statements.
  • Relying on police (the original investigating agency) to re-interview implicated officers.
• Key Evidence Dismissed:
  • The Silencer: Evidence about a key piece of disputed forensic evidence is discounted without additional interviews.
    • “The comments appear flippant… do not raise any credible reason for considering that David Beauflower was making a genuine admission.” (CCRC document, 25:49)
  • Crime Scene Disturbance: Eyewitness accounts of crime scene mismanagement are ignored as inconsequential.
  • The 999 Call: The potentially exonerating revelation from Nick Milbank about a 999 call is disregarded, with no direct interview; CCRC lets Essex Police (the force accused of mishandling) handle the statement.
    • “They have allowed Essex Police to interview Nick Milbank rather than speaking to him themselves... that is shocking.” (Heidi Blake, 31:41)

The Death of Nick Milbank (37:25–40:55)

• Heidi learns, shockingly, that Nick Milbank has died days after the CCRC decision, eliminating the possibility of further clarifying his eyewitness account.
  • “So Nick Milbank has died... we’re just left with this kind of... We've got this tape. This tape is the only document now of what Nick Milbank heard that night.” (Heidi Blake, 38:58)
• Bamber reacts:
  • “You couldn’t make this shit up... but you’ve got the audio tape. He told you the truth. We know that there was a 999 call... and you have that gold, which can no longer be disputed.” (Jeremy Bamber, 40:07)
• Bamber’s lawyers argue CCRC failed in its duty of care toward Millbank, exposing him to possible pressure from his employers (Essex Police).

Aftermath and Emotional Toll (43:54–45:08)

• Bamber reflects on 40 years of incarceration, the emotional toll of the fight, and a system that seems determined to sustain its own verdict.
  • “I've probably been more emotional with you than I have with many others... sometimes, you know, Heidi, I don't think that I will ever get out. And I mean that genuinely. They will find ways to just obstruct and, you know... doesn't change my innocence.” (Jeremy Bamber, 43:54)

Notable Quotes & Moments (Selected with Timestamps)

• “There but for the grace of God go I.” – Philip Walker, on his personal connection to Bamber’s case. (02:42)
• “The CCRC is an essential component of the British justice system... But there will be a hard cohort of wrongly convicted people in prison who need a CCRC...” – Lord Garnier, on the importance and flaws of the CCRC. (13:33)
• “There is no case anymore and you can’t rely on a jury that made a decision on a bunch of evidence which was completely fallacious.” – Dennis Eady, 18:19
• “You couldn’t make this shit up... but you’ve got the audio tape. He told you the truth.” – Jeremy Bamber, 40:16
• “Sometimes... I don’t think that I will ever get out. ...doesn’t change my innocence.” – Jeremy Bamber, 43:54

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:56 – Intro to Philip Walker and Bamber’s support team
• 03:27 – Discussion of pivotal new evidence, rising hopes
• 06:15–08:14 – Waiting on CCRC decision; public attitudes shifting
• 09:19–14:56 – CCRC engulfed by scandal (Malkinson case); Bamber’s growing frustration
• 15:43–20:35 – Protest outside the CCRC; Dennis Eady’s skepticism
• 21:05–22:25 – Bamber receives devastating CCRC denial
• 23:18–37:25 – Point-by-point breakdown of the CCRC’s rationale and refusals
• 37:25–40:55 – Nick Milbank’s untimely death and its impact
• 43:54–45:08 – Bamber’s reflections on his emotional ordeal and the case’s likely future

Conclusion

This final episode captures the heartbreaking impasse of Jeremy Bamber’s campaign for exoneration, exposing the structural inertia and deep flaws in the post-conviction review system. The story closes with both despair and a lingering hope, as Bamber’s supporters vow to keep looking for new evidence and justice remains elusive. The episode’s tone is resolute yet mournful, stressing the need for true accountability and reform in the UK justice system.