The judge overseeing the public inquiry into serial killer Lucy Letby’s crimes has denied a request to pause the proceedings. Lady Justice Thirlwall’s inquiry has been ongoing since September, focusing on how Letby was able to murder seven babies and attempt to kill seven others at the Countess of Chester Hospital between June 2015 and June 2016. Letby and the hospital’s former executives sought a halt to the inquiry pending her latest challenge against her convictions, but their request was rejected.
Representing the hospital’s former chief executive and other senior managers, Kate Blackwell KC raised concerns about the possibility of Letby’s convictions being overturned, arguing that continuing the inquiry would be unfair to her clients. Despite efforts by Letby’s legal team to control the narrative and avoid criticism, Richard Baker KC, representing families of the victims, maintained that recent medical evidence presented was not groundbreaking. An international panel of experts working for Letby’s defense team concluded that the deaths and injuries were due to natural causes or subpar medical care, with findings to be reviewed by the Criminal Cases Review Commission.
Lady Justice Thirlwall affirmed her decision to push forward with the inquiry as planned, emphasizing that the focus was on the actions of all individuals at the hospital during the relevant period. Concessions have been made regarding the failure of safeguarding at every level within the hospital, a point that will feature prominently in the final report. The inquiry is expected to conclude in November, with significant attention on the organizational shortcomings and responses to the tragic events involving Letby
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