A former senior leader at the Countess of Chester Hospital, where nurse Lucy Letby worked, has been arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice. The arrest was made on Wednesday as part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of gross negligence manslaughter by former executives at the hospital.
Cheshire Constabulary declined to disclose the age or gender of the suspect, but confirmed they were one of three former bosses arrested last June on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter. The individual has been bailed pending further inquiries.
The arrest is linked to Operation Duet, the police investigation into corporate manslaughter and gross negligence manslaughter at the Countess of Chester. The probe focuses on senior leadership decisions regarding increased baby deaths on the neonatal unit between 2015 and 2016.
Lucy Letby, 36, is serving a whole-life sentence for murdering seven babies and attempting to kill seven others. She denies the allegations and is seeking to challenge her convictions through the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC).
The public inquiry into the hospital’s role, chaired by Lady Justice Thirlwall, is expected to publish its findings in early 2026. Contempt of court restrictions apply to any material that could prejudice potential criminal trials.
