Repeatedly untruthful, callous and quiet: What we learned about Letby from inquiry report

The findings from the public inquiry into how Lucy Letby, a former nurse, was able to repeatedly murder and harm babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital between 2015 and 2016 will be released later this week. The Thirlwall Inquiry, led by Lady Justice Thirlwall, examined what went wrong at the hospital during Letby's tenure as a neonatal nurse and whether earlier action could have prevented the tragedies.

Letby, now 36, is currently serving 15 whole-life prison terms for the murders of seven babies and attempting to murder seven others. The inquiry did not determine Letby's guilt, but rather focused on how her concerns were handled by the hospital and if action could have been taken sooner.

Among the key questions the report may answer is whether earlier intervention could have saved or spared injuries to babies. Letby was moved to administrative duties in July 2016 after her actions were brought to the hospital's executive team's attention by consultants. However, the inquiry has also been looking into whether red flags should have been raised earlier, such as in June 2015 when three babies died in a short span.

The inquiry, which involved six months of evidence and cost over £18.5 million, is expected to reveal significant safeguarding failures at the hospital. The report is anticipated to make recommendations for changes across the NHS. The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), the only body with the power to send Letby's case back to the Court of Appeal, will closely review the findings.

Letby's defense lawyer, Mark McDonald, has submitted nearly 30 expert reports to the CCRC, arguing that the convictions are unsafe. McDonald claims his client, along with 30 other experts, is innocent. McDonald also expressed disagreement with the premise that the case had been undermined after two experts withdrew from the defense team, stating that the experts still believe Letby is innocent.

The inquiry's initial publication date of November 2025 has been pushed back multiple times due to the extensive evidence and submissions phase concluding in March 2025. In July 2025, three former senior staff at the hospital were arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter, though no charges have been brought yet. The arrests followed an investigation into potential corporate manslaughter at the hospital, which was later expanded to include gross negligence manslaughter in March 2025.