Overview

• Lucy Letby’s legal team and former Countess of Chester Hospital executives have formally requested the suspension of the Thirlwall Inquiry, citing potential implications of new evidence under review by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC).
• The inquiry, launched to investigate systemic failures surrounding Letby’s crimes, is in its final stages, with a report expected in autumn 2025.
• Victims’ families oppose halting the inquiry, emphasizing the need for accountability and systemic reforms to prevent future failures in hospital oversight.
• Cheshire Constabulary has expanded its investigation into the hospital to include gross negligence manslaughter charges against individuals, alongside existing corporate manslaughter inquiries.
• Conservative MP David Davis has joined calls to pause the inquiry, describing Letby’s convictions as a potential miscarriage of justice, though her two prior appeals were unsuccessful.