A doctor whose testimony helped convict Lucy Letby says he is 'no longer certain' the nurse murdered seven babies and attempted to kill another eight. Dr John Gibbs now believes a retrial is needed in Letby's case, describing it as 'the most appropriate thing for everyone'.
The retired paediatrician told The Sun: "I hold a very small concern there may not have been any deliberate harm done. If it is the case that Lucy Letby is behind bars for crimes she had not committed, then that's clearly appalling."
Government inquiry findings
His remarks come just days after the government inquiry into the Countess of Chester Hospital revealed NHS bosses could have prevented some children's deaths had they taken swifter action. Lady Justice Thirlwall's report also stated that Letby's 'boyfriend' doctor, consultant paediatrician Dr Mark Deakin, 'blurred boundaries' and prioritised his desire to support her over his responsibilities to his patients. Hospital management faced criticism for its handling of internal worries about Letby's conduct.
Calls for a retrial
Dr Gibbs now argues 'what really matters is why so many babies collapsed on the neonatal unit in Chester in 2015 and 2016'. He added: "There seems to be an ever-increasing number of experts willing to advance the case for Letby's innocence. I can see some merit in certain arguments but I also disagree with aspects of many of these opinions." However, when questioned whether he remains convinced Letby murdered the babies, he answered 'no'.
Government and police response
Health Secretary Yvette Cooper has vowed the government will respond to its conclusions, beginning with the introduction of 'cot cameras' - a crucial recommendation from the report. She said: "Worst of all, the trust repeatedly failed the parent. It failed to keep their beloved babies safe. For parents to be kept in the dark for years about what was happening is, as Lady Justice Thirlwall has said, reprehensible."
Cheshire Police have also confirmed they will examine the findings in relation to their current investigations. The force has initiated an inquiry into the Countess of Chester Hospital, concentrating on senior management and decision-making processes to establish whether any criminal conduct occurred regarding the response to elevated mortality rates.
