The senior doctor who played a crucial role in convicting Britain's most prolific child serial killer, Lucy Letby, is embarking on a remarkable career change towards priesthood.
From Hospital Wards to Holy Orders
Dr John Gibbs, one of the first consultants to raise alarms about Letby at the Countess of Chester Hospital, is now pursuing ordination in the Church of England following his retirement from the NHS. The consultant, who demanded Letby's removal from the neonatal unit after a series of unexplained infant deaths, has completed a theology degree since leaving medical practice.
Dr Gibbs provided key evidence during Letby's trial and later told a public inquiry he felt deep shame for not stopping the neonatal nurse sooner. His testimony contributed to Letby receiving 15 whole-life orders for murdering seven babies and attempting to kill seven others.
Controversy and Criticism
The doctor's career transition has drawn sharp criticism from Letby's supporters. Professor Richard Gill, a statistician campaigning for Letby's release, described the move as "beggars belief" and questioned Dr Gibbs's credibility.
Professor Gill added: "My general impression of Dr Gibbs is that he feels he has deserved his high social standing and is a pillar of society. Hospital consultants form a kind of brotherhood - you won't hear the whole truth from them."
Meanwhile, international experts reviewing the case have concluded they believe no babies were deliberately harmed in the incidents attributed to Letby.
Ongoing Legal Battle and Community Involvement
Letby's lawyer, Mark McDonald, continues to submit fresh evidence to the Criminal Cases Review Commission, which investigates potential miscarriages of justice. A panel of 14 leading paediatric specialists independently reviewed case notes and reached conclusions that lawyers for the victims' families have dismissed as "full of analytical holes".
Dr Gibbs remains an active member of his local evangelical church in Chester, where he has delivered sermons on medical ethics. Parish newsletters show his deep involvement in church activities, though he declined to comment when approached about his ordination plans.
The 35-year-old Letby continues to serve her whole-life sentences while legal teams on both sides prepare for what could be significant developments in one of Britain's most harrowing medical crime cases.
