Police investigating the hospital where Lucy Letby murdered seven babies and attempted to murder seven others have widened their scope to include gross negligence manslaughter
In a statement Cheshire Police have said that individuals at the Countess of Chester hospital, where Lucy Letby worked, may be guilty of gross negligence manslaughter.
This is in addition to its inquiry into corporate manslaughter.
The former nurse is serving 15 whole-life prison terms after being convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to kill another seven.
a statement, Detective Superintendent Paul Hughes said: “Those identified as suspects have been notified. We will not be confirming the number of people involved or their identity as no arrests or charges have yet been made.
“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.
“Our priority is to maintain the integrity of our ongoing investigations and to support the many families who are at the heart of these.
“There is a significant public interest in the reporting of these matters, however, every story that is published, statement made, or comment posted online that refers to the specific details of a live investigation can impede the course of justice and cause further distress to the families concerned.”
Letby’s barrister Mark McDonald said in response
“It is astonishing that on the eve of the legal argument to stop the Thirlwall Inquiry, the police have decided to issue a press release discussing gross negligence manslaughter.
“We now have substantial and significant expert evidence which completely demolishes the prosecution case against Lucy Letby and points the finger in a very different direction to that which the police are currently looking.
“It is time they take a step back and ask themselves whether they have made a huge mistake.”
