A new phase has opened up in the police investigation into the heinous crimes committed by nurse Lucy Letby at a hospital where she murdered seven babies and attempted to kill seven more. Cheshire Police have expanded their inquiry to include a probe into potential evidence of gross negligence manslaughter at the Countess of Chester Hospital. Detective Superintendent Paul Hughes confirmed the widening scope of the investigation, emphasizing that no arrests or charges have been made yet.
Det Supt Hughes clarified that the gross negligence manslaughter investigation is a separate matter from the corporate manslaughter inquiry and focuses on the negligent actions or inactions of individuals involved. He stressed that this development does not impact Letby’s convictions for multiple murders and attempted murders. The police have refrained from disclosing the number or identity of suspects involved in the ongoing investigations, which are being conducted without any specific timeline for completion.
The investigative efforts of Cheshire Police are not limited to the Countess of Chester Hospital as they are also looking into the deaths and non-fatal collapses of babies at the Liverpool Women’s Hospital between 2012 and 2016. The primary focus remains on maintaining the integrity of the inquiries and providing support to the affected families. Meanwhile, a public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Letby’s crimes, overseen by Lady Justice Thirlwall, is set to conclude with closing submissions at Liverpool Town Hall. The findings from this inquiry are expected to be made public in the autumn.
In a controversial turn of events, an international panel of neonatologists and pediatric specialists recently made claims that Letby may not be responsible for the attacks on the babies. The panel’s chairman, Dr. Shoo Lee, asserted that the deaths or injuries could be attributed to natural causes or substandard medical care. The concerns raised by the panel have been referred to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) to investigate any potential miscarriages of justice. Letby’s legal team is hopeful that her case will be reconsidered by the Court of Appeal in light of these developments
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