Cheshire Police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) have stated they were not informed by Professor Peter Hindmarsh, a key expert witness in the Lucy Letby trial, that he was under investigation by his employer before he gave evidence. Hindmarsh provided crucial testimony in the prosecution's case that Letby attempted to murder two babies by injecting insulin into their fluid bags.
The Guardian revealed that University College London Hospitals NHS Trust (UCLH), Hindmarsh's main employer, was leading a formal investigation into multiple serious concerns, including allegations that he harmed patients. The investigation involved Great Ormond Street Hospital. Hindmarsh's contract with UCLH was terminated in July 2022, four months before he testified.
Rules governing criminal cases require expert witnesses to disclose anything that might undermine their opinion or detract from their credibility. Senior lawyers, including Glyn Maddocks KC, said Hindmarsh should have disclosed the investigation to ensure transparency. Tim Green KC noted that an expert would be expected to disclose an internal investigation, especially if it reached an adverse conclusion.
Letby was convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others. The two insulin cases were pivotal to her conviction. She maintains her innocence, and her lawyer has submitted an application to the Criminal Cases Review Commission, arguing the convictions are unsafe. The CCRC is reviewing the application, supported by reports from 27 experts who dispute the prosecution's medical evidence.
