Three senior staff members from the Countess of Chester Hospital, where Lucy Letby worked, have been arrested. They are suspected of gross negligence manslaughter. Letby was previously convicted of murdering seven infants and attempting to murder seven others. The individuals detained are believed to have held senior leadership positions at the hospital between 2015 and 2016. They are currently being questioned as part of the ongoing investigation.
The Cheshire Constabulary initiated an investigation into corporate manslaughter at the hospital in October 2023, following Letby's trial and conviction. This investigation focuses on the senior leadership's decision-making processes to determine if any criminal actions occurred in response to the rise in infant fatalities. In March 2025, the scope of the investigation expanded to include gross negligence manslaughter. This is a distinct offense from corporate manslaughter and centers on the grossly negligent actions or inactions of individuals.
The recent arrests do not affect Letby's convictions for murder and attempted murder. On June 30th, three individuals who were part of the senior leadership team at the hospital during 2015-2016 were arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter. All three have been released on bail while further inquiries are conducted. Both the corporate manslaughter and gross negligence manslaughter investigations are ongoing, and there are no set timelines for their completion. The investigation into the deaths and non-fatal collapses of babies at the neonatal units of the Countess of Chester Hospital and Liverpool Women's Hospital between 2012 and 2016 is also continuing.
The arrests follow a call from former health secretary Sir Jeremy Hunt for a re-examination of the Letby case. He had previously apologized to the victims' families at a public inquiry. He emphasized the need to understand the causes of the tragedies, whether due to Letby's actions or professional shortcomings, to prevent similar events from happening again.
5 Comments
Coccinella
This investigation should have happened the moment Letby was apprehended. How many more babies died before they acted?
Comandante
What were these senior members doing while Letby was killing infants? Their inaction is just as harmful!
Coccinella
This investigation could create a precedent for accountability in healthcare. Let’s hope for justice!
Muchacho
The whole leadership team should be scrutinized. A failure at every level allowed these crimes to happen.
ZmeeLove
I fear this is just a formality before they let these individuals off easy. Justice must be served!