Fresh doubt has been raised about the safety of child killer Lucy Letby’s conviction. The former neonatal nurse was found guilty in 2023 of murdering seven babies and attempting to kill seven more at the Countess of Chester hospital.
She denies the crimes and is seeking an appeal. Since her conviction, doubts have been raised about the evidence used to put her behind bars, with new research by a diabetes expert fueling the belief by some that Letby is the victim of a miscarriage of justice. In new peer-reviewed research, Prof Geoff Chase says insulin in newborns can be sky-high without foul play if infection is present.
Alongside colleague Helen Shannon, the pair aim to prove that Letby could not have poisoned babies as claimed with the “tiny” amounts of insulin she is said to have used.
The research joins a wave of growing support for Letby who is one of the most notorious serial killers in UK history.
Conservative former Cabinet minister Sir David Davis has called for a review into the conduct of the police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in the case.
Sir David branded it “one of the major injustices of modern times” last year.
Speaking in the House of Commons on Thursday, Sir David claimed Cheshire Police, who investigated the Letby case, ignored or broke rules “time and time again”.
He called for the force to release a series of documents, including investigators’ policy books and decision books, records of identified lines of inquiry and minutes from meetings.
The former Brexit Secretary compared the Letby case to that of Sally Clark, a woman who was found guilty of the murder of her two infant sons, but whose conviction was overturned three years later.
Policing minister Sarah Jones said that “a meticulous and very lengthy investigation” led to Letby being identified as a suspect and arrested.
She added that “there has been a proper process involving independent assessment by the CPS, trial by a jury, and two appeal processes that has resulted in the conviction and imprisonment of Lucy Letby”.
Ms Jones also told the Commons: “We shouldn’t inadvertently undermine public confidence in the police – that is important and in the criminal justice system and we need to be very careful to avoid implying impropriety where none has actually been established, and I need to put that on record as well.”
She said: “Of course, (Sir David) has said that he is going to be writing to the DPP and he will take that through its course.
“But I just want to end by reminding the House that this country uses due process.
“There has been due process that has been followed in the convictions of Lucy Letby with a trial by jury and upheld on appeal, and I remain confident of that and also the effectiveness of the Cheshire Constabulary.”
Cheshire Police have been contacted for comment.
