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Public Inquiry Into Lucy Letby Case Faces Calls for Suspension
Doubts Cast on Letby’s Convictions
A public inquiry examining how British nurse Lucy Letby was able to murder babies in her care faces calls for suspension due to new evidence challenging her convictions.
Letby, 35, was found guilty of murdering seven infants and attempting to murder eight more between June 2015 and June 2016 while working in the neonatal unit of the Countess of Chester Hospital (COCH). This conviction made her Britain’s most prolific serial child killer in modern times.
However, medical experts have since publicly questioned the evidence that led to her conviction, suggesting alternative explanations for the infants’ deaths.
Appeal and Inquiry Suspension Request
Letby’s lawyer has applied to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) to re-examine her convictions.
Kate Blackwell, the lawyer representing the senior managers at COCH, argued that the inquiry should be suspended until clarity is reached regarding Letby’s involvement. In written submissions, Blackwell stated that alternative explanations, including poor clinical management and natural causes, must be considered.
“If there is evidence to indicate alternative explanations, then it would be wrong for the inquiry to ignore it because it is inconvenient,” she said.
Inquiry Chair to Review Suspension Request
Inquiry Chair Kathryn Thirlwall acknowledged the request to suspend proceedings and confirmed that she would hear arguments on the matter. Several parties, including hospital managers, a senior lawmaker, and Letby’s legal team, have advocated for a pause in the inquiry.
Ongoing Police Investigation
Despite doubts raised about Letby’s guilt, police continue to investigate whether she was responsible for other infant deaths. Authorities have expanded their inquiry into possible corporate manslaughter at COCH, initially focused on the hospital’s senior leadership, to include potential gross negligence manslaughter by individuals.
Hospital Managers Defend Actions
Kate Blackwell stated that senior managers accept they made mistakes but denied allegations that they deliberately shielded a murderer. She emphasized that their decisions were made in good faith.
She further suggested that if the inquiry chair lacks the authority to pause proceedings, she should request the health minister to intervene.
The future of the inquiry now hinges on whether legal challenges to Letby’s convictions will lead to a formal reassessment of the case.
“Public Inquiry Into Lucy Letby Case Faces Calls for Suspension” “Public Inquiry Into Lucy Letby Case Faces Calls for Suspension” “Public Inquiry Into Lucy Letby Case Faces Calls for Suspension”