Police have issued a rare public rebuke of the Crown Prosecution Service's decision not to pursue additional charges against convicted child killer Lucy Letby. The nurse is currently serving fifteen whole life terms for the murder of seven infants and the attempted murder of seven others at the Countess of Chester Hospital.
Evidence Submitted for Further Allegations
Cheshire Constabulary passed a substantial file of evidence to prosecutors last year, relating to eight potential further offences of attempted murder and one of murder at the Countess of Chester Hospital. Additionally, two further allegations concerning one child at Liverpool Women's Hospital were included in the submission.
Despite this comprehensive evidence package, the CPS has concluded that the legal threshold for prosecution was not met. In an unusual step, Cheshire Constabulary has openly expressed its disappointment with this outcome.
Police Statement on the Decision
A formal statement from the force declared: 'We believed the evidence submitted met the Crown Prosecution Service charging standard. The CPS did not agree and despite our representations we must respect the decision that has been made.'
The statement continued with a poignant appeal: 'There will be some who will feel that this is news worth celebrating. We do not share this view and would ask that people respect the privacy and feelings of the families involved.'
CPS Explanation and Legal Position
Frank Ferguson, head of the CPS's special crime and counter terrorism division, provided detailed reasoning behind the decision. 'Following a thorough review of that evidence, we have decided that no criminal charges should be brought in respect of those further allegations,' he stated.
The CPS examined potential offences concerning two infants who died and seven infants who survived. 'We concluded that the evidential test was not met in any of those cases,' Ferguson explained, emphasising that 'this decision was made independently, based on the evidence and in line with our legal test.'
Impact on Affected Families
Solicitor Tamlin Bolton from Irwin Mitchell, representing families of babies Letby was convicted of harming, highlighted the enduring trauma. 'Those families we represent continue to be affected by Letby's crimes which she was tried over and convicted of in a court of law,' she said.
Bolton added: 'The impact of her actions can never be underestimated and will have a life-long effect on our clients. There may well be other families upset at today's decision.' She stressed the importance of ongoing support for families seeking answers about their babies' treatment.
Campaign for Appeal and Political Reaction
A significant campaign continues to support Letby's claim of innocence, with thirty-one expert reports submitted to the Criminal Cases Review Commission. Barrister Mark McDonald, representing Letby, asserted: 'Letby has always maintained her innocence – she has never hurt a child and never would.'
MP David Davis welcomed the CPS decision, stating on social media platform X: 'The CCRC must conclude its review quickly and refer the case to the Court of Appeal. It has long been my view that any retrial in Letby's case should happen as quickly as possible.'
Letby was convicted of her original offences following events between June 2015 and June 2016. She has been twice denied permission to appeal against these convictions in 2024, though campaigners continue to push for a judicial review of her case.
