Police question Lucy Letby in prison regarding further infant deaths

Cheshire Constabulary has verified that Lucy Letby underwent a police interview while incarcerated, under caution, concerning continuing inquiries into further infant fatalities. The police service stated it had “recently” engaged with the former neonatal nurse regarding deaths and non-lethal collapses that occurred at the Countess of Chester Hospital and Liverpool Women’s Hospital. Letby received convictions for the murders of seven infants and the attempted murders of an additional seven at the Countess of Chester between the years 2015 and 2016. Her legal representative informed the BBC that the 34-year-old had participated in a police interview willingly and was not taken into custody, stating: “Lucy continues to maintain her innocence.” Mark McDonald, a barrister, further commented: “The police have been briefing about further enquiries for over a year.” He continued: “Any allegations need to be taken seriously so we are only surprised by the timing of this new leak from the police.” The official police announcement, which verified that Letby had been questioned regarding additional infant fatalities, came after reports published in the Daily Mail. The constabulary indicated that further details would be disclosed “at the appropriate time”. Letby is currently serving 15 whole-life orders for the murder of seven babies and the attempted murder of seven other infants, committed between June 2015 and June 2016. Letby, who originates from Hereford, made two efforts to end the life of one of her victims. Subsequent to her convictions, Cheshire Constabulary disclosed that officers were looking into the periods she had spent at two placements within Liverpool Women’s Hospital. This forms a component of a broader review of Letby’s entire professional history. This process entails examining over 4,000 admissions to neonatal units during which Letby was on duty. In October, BBC Panorama brought to light that potentially fatal occurrences had taken place during almost one third of Letby’s shifts in Liverpool. In November 2012, an infant boy suffered a collapse, and subsequently, water was discovered in his breathing tube – an occurrence deemed highly uncommon. Medical records verified that Letby was the nurse responsible for his care. The broadcast additionally presented evidence that potentially indicated an infant boy had been poisoned with insulin while under her supervision at the Countess of Chester Hospital. This specific incident was not included in Letby’s initial trial. The offenses committed by Letby and their consequences for the NHS are presently under scrutiny at the Thirlwall Inquiry. The principal paediatric consultant at the Countess of Chester, who initially alerted authorities about Letby, gave testimony last month. Dr Stephen Brearey informed the inquiry, held at Liverpool Town Hall: “On reflection I think it’s likely that Letby didn’t start [to] become a killer in June 2015, or didn’t start harming babies in 2015.” In September, a barrister representing the relatives of 12 infants stated that Liverpool Women’s Hospital had undertaken its own review of Letby’s tenure at the facility. Richard Baker KC informed the inquiry that the breathing tubes of babies were dislodged at an “unusual” frequency when she was working. The inquiry was told that these dislodgements happened in approximately 40% of her shifts, in contrast to this “occurring generally in less than 1% of shifts”. Nevertheless, considerable discussion has also arisen concerning the scientific methodology employed in the prosecution of Letby. Several specialists have disputed the medical evidence that led to her conviction. Letby’s recently appointed legal representatives also hold an alternative perspective on the fresh evidence. They have indicated their intention to present her case to the Criminal Cases Review Commission next year, seeking an application for it to be referred back to the Court of Appeal. Regarding the recent police questioning, Mr McDonald stated: “Lucy voluntarily attended an interview; she was not arrested.” He added: “Lucy continues to maintain her innocence and as she has said throughout she has never and would never harm any child.” Letby has twice had her request for permission to appeal her convictions rejected. The Thirlwall Inquiry has also received testimony from executives at the Countess of Chester in recent days, with some addressing the matter publicly for the first time. Sir Duncan Nichol, the former chairman, informed the inquiry that his choice not to invite the physicians who harbored suspicions about her to a crucial meeting constituted “a big personal failure”.