UK police arrest three hospital managers in Lucy Letby investigation
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
Cops Arrest 3 Top Bosses Over Foul Play Suspicions In Case Of Nurse Who Slew 7 Babies
Three senior hospital staff members have been arrested in connection with the case of Lucy Letby, a former nurse convicted of harming multiple newborns. The individuals, who held leadership roles during the time of the incidents, were detained on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter but have since been released on bail. The names of the three hospital bosses have not been released, but their arrests are part of an expanded investigation into both corporate and individual responsibility surrounding the tragic events in the case.Lucy Letby is currently serving a rare 15 whole-life sentences for the harm she caused to infants under her care at Countess of Chester Hospital in the UK. She was dubbed as Britain’s most prolific child k*ller and a “k*ller nurse.” Letby”s convictions include both f*tal and non-f*tal attacks. Methods used ranged from injecting air and milk into infants’ bloodstreams or stomachs. She allegedly also po*soned some infants with insulin.
The individuals, who held leadership roles during the time of the incidents, were detained on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter but have since been released on bail.
The names of the three hospital bosses have not been released, but their arrests are part of an expanded investigation into both corporate and individual responsibility surrounding the tragic events in the case.
Detective Superintendent Paul Hughes stated that the investigation, which initially launched in 2023, began as a corporate manslaughter probe, but broadened in March 2025 to include gross negligence charges, according to The Sun.
The goal was to determine whether leadership decisions at the medical facility contributed to the infants’ fatalities.
“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,” Hughes said in a statement.
All three individuals arrested this week were in top roles during the 2015–2016 period, when multiple babies suffered unexpected medical collapses.
Netizens welcomed the arrest of the senior hospital staff.
“They should have been arrested from the beginning,” one commenter wrote.
“About time others were held accountable rather than letting her be the scapegoat,” another stated.
“It’s all coming out now, isn’t it?” a commenter wrote.
Letby’s charges are unaffected by the recent arrests
Image credits: Guardian News
While the arrest of the three hospital bosses is a notable development in the case, Superintendent Hughes clarified that they do not affect Lucy Letby’s charges at all.
“It is important to note that this does not impact on the convictions of Lucy Letby for multiple offenses of murder and attempted murder,” he said.
“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,” he added.
Image credits: photostriker/Adobe Stock (Not the actual photo)
Lucy Letby, 35, is currently serving a rare 15 whole-life sentences for the harm she caused to infants under her care.
She was found to be the “common denominator” in a sharp rise in unexplained f*talities at the hospital during her tenure.
She became dubbed as Britain’s most prolific child k*ller and a “k*ller nurse.”
Letby’s convictions include both f*tal and non-f*tal attacks. Methods used ranged from injecting air and milk into infants’ bloodstreams or stomachs. She allegedly also po*soned some infants with insulin.
Among the victims were several sets of twins and triplets. One infant, known in court records as Child I, endured four separate attempts before succumbing.
Letby has been challenging her convictions
Despite two failed appeals, Letby and her legal team are still challenging her convictions.
A panel of international neonatologists working pro bono for her defense has suggested that natural causes and substandard medical care could explain the infants’ collapses.
These findings have been submitted to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), which investigates miscarriages of justice.
Image credits: Sky News
With this, Letby’s team is hoping that her case could be referred back to the Court of Appeal.
Letby’s lawyers have also requested that the ongoing public inquiry into the events at Countess of Chester Hospital be paused pending the outcome of the CCRC review.
The request was denied, and the inquiry’s final report is expected this November.
Image credits: Sky News
Public interest in Letby’s case remains high, thanks to its shocking nature and her insistence on her innocence.
Letby has actually received a notable amount of support online, with some netizens stating that she seems to have become the hospital’s scapegoat.
“Still say she was set up,” one commenter wrote.
“Always knew she was telling the truth,” another stated.
“She was the scapegoat and (she was) innocent,” a commenter wrote.
Netizens supported the arrest of the hospital’s senior staff
UK police arrest three hospital managers in Lucy Letby investigation
British police say they have arrested three senior hospital managers on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter. Nurse Lucy Letby was convicted two years ago of killing babies in a neonatal unit. Letby, 35, is serving life in jail after being found guilty of murdering seven newborns and attempting to murder eight more. Police investigation is continuing into whether Letby had committed more crimes at the hospital and at another unit where she had previously worked in northern England.. The Criminal Cases Review Commission, which examines potential miscarriages of justice, is considering an application from Letby’s legal team, and last month, former health minister Jeremy Hunt said the case should be urgently re-examined. The hospital’s senior managers strongly denied accusations they “deliberately and knowingly” protected a murderer.
Item 1 of 5 Members of the media work near a large screen showing a picture of convicted hospital nurse Lucy Letby, ahead of her sentencing, outside the Manchester Crown Court, in Manchester, Britain, August 21, 2023. REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo
Summary Letby, convicted of murdering seven babies, maintains innocence
Probe continues into other possible crimes by Letby, hospital management’s role
LONDON, July 1 (Reuters) – British police said on Tuesday they had arrested three senior hospital managers on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter as part of investigations into nurse Lucy Letby, who was convicted two years ago of killing babies in a neonatal unit.
Letby, 35, is serving life in jail after being found guilty of murdering seven newborns and attempting to murder eight more between June 2015 and June 2016 while working at the Countess of Chester Hospital (CoCH) in northern England.
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Letby, Britain’s worst serial child killer of modern times, has maintained her innocence throughout but has been refused permission to appeal against her convictions. She has been told she would never be released.
Following her jailing, police began to investigate possible corporate manslaughter offences at the hospital, an inquiry that was later widened to consider if individuals might be guilty of gross negligence manslaughter.
Detective Superintendent Paul Hughes, who is leading the investigation, said three unnamed members of the hospital’s senior leadership team had been arrested on Monday. They were subsequently released on bail, pending further inquires.
“Both the corporate manslaughter and gross negligence manslaughter elements of the investigation are continuing and there are no set time scales for these,” Hughes said in a statement, adding that this did not impact Letby’s convictions.
CHALLENGE TO EVIDENCE
Hughes said that a police investigation was continuing into whether Letby had committed more crimes at the hospital and at another unit where she had previously worked.
Since she was jailed, some lawmakers, medical experts and other specialists have publicly challenged the prosecution evidence that was used to find her guilty.
The Criminal Cases Review Commission, which examines potential miscarriages of justice, is considering an application from Letby’s legal team, and last month, former health minister Jeremy Hunt said the case should be urgently re-examined.
Letby’s lawyer Mark McDonald said in a statement that the police announcement came at a sensitive time.
“Despite this, the concerns many have raised will not go away, and we will continue to publicly discuss them,” McDonald said.
Kate Blackwell, a lawyer for the hospital’s senior managers, told a public inquiry examining how the murders were able to take place that there were other explanations for the deaths which needed to be considered.
The managers strongly denied accusations they “deliberately and knowingly” protected a murderer, Blackwell said.
Police have previously said scepticism about the case was based on partial knowledge of the facts presented to the courts.
The findings of the public inquiry are due to be published early next year after the chairman rejected calls for her work to be paused.
Reporting by Michael Holden; Editing by Sachin Ravikumar, Kate Holton and Bernadette Baum
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Three Chester hospital bosses arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in Lucy Letby investigation
Lucy Letby, 35, was a nurse at the Countess of Chester Hospital. She targeted babies on its neonatal unit between June 2015 and June 2016. She is now serving 15 whole life prison sentences. Three members of the senior leadership team at the hospital were arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter, Cheshire Constabulary said on Tuesday. The arrests comes as part of an investigation into corporate manslaughter andgross negligence manslaughter at the Hospital. Letby was found guilty of seven murders and seven attempted murders in 2023. She will spend the rest of her life in prison with no minimum term or chance of early release. For confidential support call the Samaritans in the UK on 08457 90 90 90, visit a local Samaritans branch or click here for details.
Three senior staff who worked at the hospital where Lucy Letby murdered seven babies and attempted to murder seven others have been arrested by police on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.
Letby, 35, was a nurse at the Countess of Chester Hospital (CoCH) when she targeted babies on its neonatal unit between June 2015 and June 2016. She is now serving 15 whole life prison sentences.
This week, three members of the senior leadership team who were at the hospital during the same period were arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter, Cheshire Constabulary said on Tuesday.
The arrests comes as part of an investigation into corporate manslaughter and gross negligence manslaughter at the hospital. The three ex-staff members were arrested on Monday and have all since been bailed pending further inquiries.
open image in gallery Three members of the senior leadership team at the Countess of Chester Hospital between 2015 and 2016 have been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter (Jacob King/PA) ( PA Wire )
Letby attacked her victims by various means while working at the hospital. One method was injecting air into baby’s bloodstream that caused an air embolism and blocked the blood supply, leading to sudden and unexpected collapses.
Detective Superintendent Paul Hughes, senior investigating officer for Operation Duet, said the investigation initially focused on senior leadership and their decision-making in response to the increased levels of deaths at the hospital.
In March, he said, it was widened to look at potential gross negligence manslaughter, with the attention brought on “grossly negligent action or inaction of individuals”.
He said: “As part of our ongoing enquiries, on Monday 30 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.
open image in gallery Screengrab taken from body-worn camera footage issued by police of the arrest of Lucy Letby (Cheshire Constabulary/PA) ( PA Media )
“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.”
The force’s review of the care of some 4,000 babies admitted to hospital while Letby was working as a neonatal nurse remains ongoing.
open image in gallery Lucy Letby is serving 15 whole-life orders ( PA Media )
In 2023, at Manchester Crown Court, a jury found Letby guilty of seven murders and seven attempted murders. Last year, at a retrial, the former nurse was found guilty of a further attempted murder charge, having made two attempts to kill one child.
A whole-life order in place means Letby will spend the rest of her life in prison with no minimum term or chance of early release.
Following the announcement on the arrests, Det Supt Hughes added: “It is important to note that this does not impact on the convictions of Lucy Letby for multiple offences of murder and attempted murder.”
This is a breaking story, more to follow…
Two teenagers arrested on suspicion of murder in Barry
Police say they have launched a murder investigation after the death of a 38-year-old man in Barry, the Vale of Glamorgan. South Wales Police said the man’s family is receiving support from specially trained liaison officers. Police cordons and road closures are still in place and are expected to remain as officers continue their enquiries.
Police say they have launched a murder investigation after the death of a 38-year-old man in Barry, the Vale of Glamorgan, on Monday night.
South Wales Police said the man’s family is receiving support from specially trained liaison officers.
A 16-year-old and 17-year-old boy, from Llantwit Major, have been arrested on suspicion of murder.
The force said in a statement that it received a report of a stabbing on Barry Road shortly before 12am.
Police cordons and road closures are still in place and are expected to remain as officers continue their enquiries.
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Three members of Letby hospital’s leadership team arrested
Detective Superintendent Mark O’Shea from South Wales Police said the local “close-knit community” would be “deeply shocked and saddened”.
“We are aware that the incident is having a significant impact on the local community with an extensive police cordon, road closures and a primary school also closed for the day,” he said.
“There will be an increased police presence in the area over the coming days while teams of detectives and specialist staff work at pace to establish the circumstances of this incident.”
Police have also thanked the public for their understanding as the investigation continues.
(c) Sky News 2025: Two teenagers arrested on suspicion of murder in Barry
UK police arrest bosses at killer nurse’s hospital
Letby, 35, is serving life in jail after being found guilty of murdering seven newborns and attempting to murder eight more. She has maintained her innocence throughout but has been refused permission to appeal against her convictions. Three unnamed members of the hospital’s senior leadership team had been arrested on Monday. They were subsequently released on bail, pending further inquires, police said. Police have previously said scepticism about the case was based on partial knowledge of the facts presented to the courts.
Letby, Britain’s worst serial child killer of modern times, has maintained her innocence throughout but has been refused permission to appeal against her convictions.
She has been told she would never be released.
Following her jailing, police began to investigate possible corporate manslaughter offences at the hospital, an inquiry that was later widened to consider if individuals might be guilty of gross negligence manslaughter.
Detective Superintendent Paul Hughes, who is leading the investigation, said three unnamed members of the hospital’s senior leadership team had been arrested on Monday.
They were subsequently released on bail, pending further inquires.
“Both the corporate manslaughter and gross negligence manslaughter elements of the investigation are continuing and there are no set time scales for these,” Hughes said in a statement on Tuesday, adding this did not affect Letby’s convictions.
Hughes said a police investigation was continuing into whether Letby had committed more crimes at the hospital and at another unit where she had previously worked.
Since she was jailed, some MPs, medical experts and other specialists have publicly challenged the prosecution evidence that was used to find her guilty.
The Criminal Cases Review Commission, which examines potential miscarriages of justice, is considering an application from Letby’s legal team, and last month, former health minister Jeremy Hunt said the case should be urgently re-examined.
Letby’s lawyer Mark McDonald said the police announcement came at a sensitive time.
“Despite this, the concerns many have raised will not go away, and we will continue to publicly discuss them,” McDonald said in a statement.
Kate Blackwell, a lawyer for the hospital’s senior managers, told a public inquiry examining how the murders were able to take place that there were other explanations for the deaths which needed to be considered.
The managers strongly denied accusations they “deliberately and knowingly” protected a murderer, Blackwell said.
Police have previously said scepticism about the case was based on partial knowledge of the facts presented to the courts.
The findings of the public inquiry are due to be published early next year after the chairman rejected calls for her work to be paused.