How old is Alison Saunders, why has she quit the Crown Prosecution Service and who will replace her?
The controversial figure has hit the headlines after a number of botched investigations
THE CPS boss is stepping down after a rocky reign that critics say was made up of a string of botched probes.
But Alison Saunders claims it was her decision to leave as the hunt for a successor begins. Here’s everything you need to know.
Who is Alison Saunders and how old is she?
Saunders is the director of public prosecutions in England and Wales.
As chief crown prosecutor for London in 2012 that she oversaw the successful prosecution of two men who killed Mr Lawrence.
She was the first lawyer from within the CPS and the second ever woman to hold the position of head of the Crown Prosecution Service.
Born on February 14, 1961, Saunders is 57 years old, and married to Neil Saunders.
Why has she quit the Crown Prosecution Service?
Critics believe Saunders is stepping down after several botched CPS investigations at the taxpayers’ expense.
Pressure grew after a rape case against student Liam Allan, 22, was thrown out when it emerged police sat on 40,000 texts from his accuser.
Every ongoing rape case is now under review after three other trials collapsed in two months.
The handling of the child sex abuse probe Operation Yewtree was also slammed after stars including Jim Davidson, Freddie Starr and Jimmy Tarbuck were cleared after extensive investigations.
Saunders told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that it was her own decision to leave.
She said that criticism of her work at the CPS was “incredibly inaccurate” and “hugely insulting” to the service’s staff.
A spokesman for the Attorney General said: “The DPP was appointed for a five-year term which ends in October 2018.
“The DPP did not ask for an extension to her contract.”
Who will replace her?
The hunt is now now on for a successor after it was announced Saunders will be leaving her £250,000-a-year role in October.
She will leave in October at the end of her current five-year contract to take up a post a private law firm Linklaters.
Saunders’ successor is not yet known, but all eyes will be on her replacement after the rocky tenure.
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