A former senior leader at the Countess of Chester hospital, where Lucy Letby worked as a neonatal nurse, has been arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice. The arrest was made on Wednesday as part of an investigation into allegations of gross negligence manslaughter by former executives.
Cheshire Constabulary declined to confirm the age or gender of the suspect but stated that they are one of three former bosses arrested in June 2024 on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter. The individual has been bailed pending further inquiries.
The arrest is linked to Operation Duet, the ongoing investigation into corporate and gross negligence manslaughter at the Countess of Chester. The inquiry focuses on senior leadership and decision-making during a period of increased baby deaths on the neonatal unit from 2015 to 2016.
Lucy Letby is serving a whole-life sentence for the murder of seven babies and attempted murder of seven others. She denies the allegations and is seeking to challenge her convictions through the Criminal Cases Review Commission. Two previous appeals have been dismissed.
A public inquiry chaired by Lady Justice Thirlwall has finished hearing evidence and is due to publish its findings in early 2026. The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed in January that Letby will not face further charges after considering new evidence.
