Demonstrators took to the streets of Birmingham city centre, demanding freedom for Lucy Letby, the former neonatal nurse convicted of murdering seven infants and attempting to murder seven others.
Protest Details and Demands
The protest was organised by the socialist group Partisan Defence Committee and saw attendees wielding placards and chanting slogans outside the office of the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) on Stephenson Street. The group is demanding an immediate review of Letby's case, accusing the CCRC of being "notorious for dragging its feet." Letby is currently serving 15 whole-life sentences at HMP Bronzefield in Ashford, Surrey.
Questions Over Evidence and Expert Opinions
The protestors' demands are bolstered by questions raised by some statisticians and medical experts regarding the evidence used in the trial. Statisticians have questioned the logic behind the staffing chart that placed Letby on shift for every incident, while some medical experts have cast doubt on the reliability of tests showing babies were given insulin externally.
A panel of 14 experts has submitted its findings to the CCRC. The commission has indicated that reviewing the application will be a lengthy process due to the case's complexity. If the CCRC concludes there is a risk the conviction is unsafe, it can refer the case back to the Court of Appeal.
Key Speakers and Ongoing Campaign
Retired obstetrician Jim Thornton was a key speaker at the event, stating there was "no evidence" against Letby and labelling her conviction an "unbelievably severe miscarriage of justice." He revealed plans to examine baby and mother medical notes with Letby's new lawyer, Mark McDonald, and other experts to find alternative explanations for the collapses and deaths.
The demonstration also featured Carl Perkins, a YouTuber known for his content supporting Letby's innocence, who described her as a "political prisoner." He claimed the case lacked forensic evidence, DNA, and CCTV linking her to the crimes. This Birmingham gathering follows a previous rally held in Liverpool in March, indicating a sustained national campaign. Letby has previously had two applications for leave to appeal refused by the Court of Appeal in May and October 2024.
