Lucy Letby learned she faces MORE charges over baby deaths in jail ‘gossip' lawyer claims – as 2nd hosp dragged in probe
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COPS didn't tell killer nurse Lucy Letby she could be facing further charges and she found out through "gossip", her legal team has complained.
Letby's barrister Mark McDonald moaned that police didn't 'have the courtesy' to tell them it was handing a new file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service.
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COPS didn't tell killer nurse Lucy Letby she could be facing further charges
Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk
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The 35-year-old from Herefordshire was convicted of murdering seven babies
Credit: PA
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Letby's barrister Mark McDonald moaned that police didn't 'have the courtesy' to tell them it was handing a new file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service
Credit: PA
It is understood to concern new baby deaths and non-fatal collapses at the Countess of Chester Hospital and Liverpool Women's Hospital between 2012 and 2016.
The 35-year-old from Herefordshire was convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to kill seven others while working at the Countess of Chester in 2015 and 2016.
She is serving 15 whole-life orders and is Britain's most prolific child killer.
The Crown Prosecution Service said it had received "a full file of evidence from Cheshire Constabulary" askingthe force to consider further allegations.
These are "in relation to deaths and non-fatal collapses of babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital and Liverpool Women's Hospital".
This comes after three people - who were in senior leadership roles at the Countess of Chester Hospital - were arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter as part of an investigation into the baby deaths.
But Mr McDonald told the Telegraph that the police didn't tell Letby's legal team about the new file.
He claimed this forced her to find out through "gossip".
'One could be cynical and say that the police are afraid of what will happen when Lucy's conviction is overturned.
'We will cross every bridge when we get to it, but if Lucy is charged I know we have a whole army of internationally renowned medical experts who will totally undermine the prosecution's unfounded allegations.'
In a statement, a spokesman for the CPS said: "We will now carefully consider the evidence to determine whether any further criminal charges should be brought.
"As always, we will make that decision independently, based on the evidence and in line with our legal test."
A spokeswoman for Cheshire Police confirmed the force had submitted "a full file of evidence to the CPS for charging advice regarding the ongoing investigation".
Investigators are looking into the deaths and non-fatal collapses of babies at the neo-natal units of both hospitals as part of Operation Hummingbird.
This process to determine whether Letby will face further charges is expected to take several weeks and involve consultation with many of Britain's most senior legal brains.
On top of the recent arrests for suspected gross negligence manslaughter, there is also an ongoing investigation into corporate manslaughter at the Countess of Chester Hospital.
All three ex-bosses arrested have been bailed, with their identities not yet being released by police.
Cops also added that these arrests do not have any impact on the killer nurse's convictions.
Letby's barrister Mr McDonald added that the police's latest announcement came at a "very sensitive time" and that a proper and full public inquiry into failings by the hospital is needed.
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