Police say arrests relate to gross negligence manslaughter investigation following Lucy Letby trial
THREE senior members of staff at the Countess of Chester Hospital have been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter, police have confirmed.
The arrests were made on Monday (June 30) as part of an ongoing investigation into the actions of hospital leaders during a period in which multiple babies died or suffered serious collapses on the neonatal unit.
The unnamed individuals were part of the hospital’s senior leadership team in 2015 and 2016—the same period during which former nurse Lucy Letby was found guilty of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven more.
Detective Superintendent Paul Hughes of Cheshire Constabulary said: “In October 2023, following the lengthy trial and subsequent conviction of Lucy Letby, Cheshire Constabulary launched an investigation into corporate manslaughter at the Countess of Chester Hospital.
“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.
“In March 2025, the scope of the investigation widened to also include gross negligence manslaughter.”
Police have stressed that the arrests do not affect Letby’s convictions, which remain in place. Letby, 35, from Hereford, is serving 15 whole-life orders after being convicted across two trials at Manchester Crown Court.
Detectives are examining whether hospital managers failed to act on early concerns about rising infant deaths and collapses. The three individuals have since been released on bail pending further enquiries.
Expert evidence casts doubt
The arrests come amid growing controversy over the safety of Letby’s convictions. An international panel of 26 medical experts, including neonatologists and paediatric specialists, published a report earlier this year concluding that no crimes had occurred and that natural causes or substandard care explained the deaths.
Letby’s new barrister, Mark McDonald, has submitted two large dossiers of expert evidence to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), which is currently assessing whether the case should be referred to the Court of Appeal.
“This is yet another press release from police at a very sensitive time,” McDonald said on Tuesday. “Despite this, the concerns many have raised will not go away. We will continue to publicly discuss them.
“The reality is that 26 internationally renowned experts have looked at this case and the lead expert has concluded that no crime was committed, no babies were murdered.”
He called for a full public inquiry into the failings of the neonatal and paediatric medical care unit at the hospital.
Police continue investigation
Cheshire Constabulary say the investigation is ongoing and includes the Liverpool Women’s Hospital, where Letby also worked between 2012 and 2016.
“There are no set timescales for these investigations,” Det Supt Hughes added.
Letby has previously lost two legal challenges at the Court of Appeal. The findings of a public inquiry led by Lady Justice Thirlwall are expected in November.
