Review body to investigate Ched Evans rape case

The Criminal Cases Review Commission has said it is to begin investigating the Evans case "within the next few weeks".

A spokesman for the body, which reviews possible miscarriages of justice and has the power to refer cases to the Court of Appeal, told the Observer newspaper that representations had been made by the footballer's legal team to prioritise the case.

He told the paper that after the request "in line with our published policy on prioritisation, and in relation to the facts of the case and the issues raised in Mr Evans's application to us ... we now expect our substantive investigation to begin within the next few weeks".

He added that the decision to fast-track the case had no bearing on whether it may be referred to the appeal courts.

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