Countess of Chester Hospital leaders arrested in 'manslaughter' probe after Lucy Letby baby murders
The three, who have not been named, were in leadership roles at the Countess of Chester Hospital in 2015 and 2016. It follows an investigation into corporate manslaughter, following the trial and conviction of Lucy Letby, for murdering babies at the hospital.
Detective Superintendent Paul Hughes, Senior Investigating Officer for Operation Duet said: "In October 2023 following the lengthy trial and subsequent conviction of Lucy Letby, Cheshire Constabulary launched an investigation into corporate manslaughter at the Countess of Chester Hospital, reports the Mirror.
"This focuses on senior leadership and their decision making to determine whether any criminality has taken place concerning the response to the increased levels of fatalities.
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"In March 2025 the scope of the investigation widened to also include gross negligence manslaughter. This is a separate offence to corporate manslaughter and focuses on the grossly negligent action or inaction of individuals.
"It is important to note that this does not impact on the convictions of Lucy Letby for multiple offences of murder and attempted murder.
"As part of our ongoing enquiries, on Monday 30th June three individuals who were part of the senior leadership team at the CoCH in 2015-2016, were arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter. All three have subsequently been bailed pending further enquiries.
"Both the corporate manslaughter and gross negligence manslaughter elements of the investigation are continuing and there are no set timescales for these.
"Our investigation into the deaths and non-fatal collapses of babies at the neo-natal units of both the Countess of Chester Hospital and the Liverpool Women's Hospital between the period of 2012 to 2016 is also ongoing."
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Scottish Sun
6 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Lucy Letby is a ‘convenient SCAPEGOAT' who must have retrial – her conviction could easily be blown apart, says Farage
Farage highlighted that since 1970 there have been 500 miscarriages of justice in Britain and he fears Letby could be 'another one' 'I HAVE DOUBTS' Lucy Letby is a 'convenient SCAPEGOAT' who must have retrial – her conviction could easily be blown apart, says Farage Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) NIGEL Farage has a 'horrible feeling' that killer nurse Lucy Letby might have been a 'very convenient scapegoat' and should be retried. The Reform leader said there were 'serious questions' about the case which have left him with increasing doubts over her conviction in recent months. 6 Nigel Farage admits he has a 'horrible feeling' that Lucy Letby is a 'scapegoat' and should be retried Credit: Simon Jones 6 Letby is serving 15 whole-life orders in jail for the murder of seven babies over a year-long reign of terror Credit: PA 6 The killer nurse has twice failed to appeal her convictions Credit: Letby is serving 15 whole-life orders in jail for the murder of seven babies over a year-long reign of terror between 2015 and 2016. She was also found guilty of trying to kill seven others during her time at the Countess of Chester hospital. Letby, 35, has always maintained her innocence and her conviction in 2023 has since been scrutinised by some medical experts. It includes a panel of doctors led by Dr Shoo Lee who says the prosecution misinterpreted his evidence on how air embolisms could lead to discolouration of a baby's skin. Several politicians have since expressed scepticism over the initial verdict, including Reform leader Mr Farage. Revealing why he waded into the debate, he told The Sun: 'I think, as a political thought leader, it is quite right to ask questions. 'And I haven't come out unequivocally on this, but I increasingly think that the argument for a retrial is very strong.' 'The argument that it should be looked at again is very strong. If you look at what's happened with the neonatal units, not just in Chester, but we could look at East Kent, we could look at two or three others, where the rates of baby death have been too high. 'I just have this horrible feeling that she might have been a very convenient scapegoat.' Mr Farage highlighted that since 1970 there have been 500 miscarriages of justice in Britain and he 'fears this could be another one.' Lucy Letby cops arrest 3 senior members of leadership team at hospital where killer nurse murdered 7 babies He added: 'I'm not saying Lucy Letby is innocent, I'm not saying it's all made up. 'I've just increasingly over the months had doubts. 'And I think having confidence in our judicial system has been a fundamental point of what has made this country great. 'We, since Magna Carta all those years ago, have had more faith in our judicial system than any other European country. Maybe even overall any other country in the world. And I think the Letby case raises serious questions.' The Letby case hit the headlines again this week as three former senior staff at the Countess of Chester hospital were arrested for gross negligence and manslaughter. 6 I'm not saying Lucy Letby is innocent - I've just said increasingly over the months had doubts, says Farage Credit: Simon Jones 6 A grab from footage of the serial baby killer's arrest Credit: PA 6 The Letby case hit the headlines again this week as three former senior staff at the Countess of Chester hospital were arrested Credit: PA Cheshire Police said the arrests 'did not impact on the convictions of Lucy Letby for multiple offences of murder and attempted murder". Instead the cops said the arrests related to the decision-making of the senior leadership team in the hospital during the time of the killings.
The Sun
14 hours ago
- The Sun
Lucy Letby is a ‘convenient SCAPEGOAT' who must have retrial – her conviction could easily be blown apart, says Farage
NIGEL Farage has a 'horrible feeling' that killer nurse Lucy Letby might have been a 'very convenient scapegoat' and should be retried. The Reform leader said there were 'serious questions' about the case which have left him with increasing doubts over her conviction in recent months. 6 6 Letby is serving 15 whole-life orders in jail for the murder of seven babies over a year-long reign of terror between 2015 and 2016. She was also found guilty of trying to kill seven others during her time at the Countess of Chester hospital. Letby, 35, has always maintained her innocence and her conviction in 2023 has since been scrutinised by some medical experts. It includes a panel of doctors led by Dr Shoo Lee who says the prosecution misinterpreted his evidence on how air embolisms could lead to discolouration of a baby's skin. Several politicians have since expressed scepticism over the initial verdict, including Reform leader Mr Farage. Revealing why he waded into the debate, he told The Sun: 'I think, as a political thought leader, it is quite right to ask questions. 'And I haven't come out unequivocally on this, but I increasingly think that the argument for a retrial is very strong.' 'The argument that it should be looked at again is very strong. If you look at what's happened with the neonatal units, not just in Chester, but we could look at East Kent, we could look at two or three others, where the rates of baby death have been too high. 'I just have this horrible feeling that she might have been a very convenient scapegoat.' Mr Farage highlighted that since 1970 there have been 500 miscarriages of justice in Britain and he 'fears this could be another one.' He added: 'I'm not saying Lucy Letby is innocent, I'm not saying it's all made up. 'I've just increasingly over the months had doubts. 'And I think having confidence in our judicial system has been a fundamental point of what has made this country great. 'We, since Magna Carta all those years ago, have had more faith in our judicial system than any other European country. Maybe even overall any other country in the world. And I think the Letby case raises serious questions.' The Letby case hit the headlines again this week as three former senior staff at the Countess of Chester hospital were arrested for gross negligence and manslaughter. 6 6 6 Cheshire Police said the arrests 'did not impact on the convictions of Lucy Letby for multiple offences of murder and attempted murder". Instead the cops said the arrests related to the decision-making of the senior leadership team in the hospital during the time of the killings.
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
Lucy Letby learned she faces MORE charges over baby deaths in jail ‘gossip' lawyer claims – as 2nd hosp dragged in probe
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) 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. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 COPS didn't tell killer nurse Lucy Letby she could be facing further charges Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk 3 The 35-year-old from Herefordshire was convicted of murdering seven babies Credit: PA 3 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.
