Fury as ‘cowardly’ docs and nurses who worked with Lucy Letby keep names secret
A legal expert has blasted the "cowardly" decision not to name the doctors and nurses who worked with baby killer Lucy Letby.
The 34-year-old was found guilty of killing seven babies at Countess of Chester Hospital between 2015 and 2016, and attempting to murder six others. She was sentenced to a whole life-order last year, meaning she will die in jail. A legal order was imposed during her murder trial to protect the identity of medical staff who worked alongside her at the hospital.
However, some have called for this to be lifted ahead of the upcoming Thirwall inquiry, which will "examine events" at the hospital during Letby's crimes and the "implications" for wider health services. Leading barrister Geoffrey Robertson KC told the Sun on Sunday that he believed medical professionals, such as doctors and nurses, "must be accountable just like policemen and politicians" - and cannot be allowed to "hide" behind the guarantee of anonymity.
Blasting the move, he added: "This is cowardly and contrary to the public interest. Open justice is the principle that makes British courts the best in the world and judges should be more vigilant in protecting it."
The 34-year-old was found guilty of killing seven babies at Countess of Chester Hospital between 2015 and 2016 (PA)Former Justice Secretary Robert Buckland MP has meanwhile stressed the importance of anonymity orders in protecting the vulnerable - but added that this must be balanced with the need for open justice. He said: “The principle of open justice has to be central to proceedings and that gate must be jealously guarded.”
Lucy Letby guilty of murdering 7 babies as Angel of Death faces life sentence
One of the country's most senior judges, Lady Justice Thirlwall, is set to lead the robe. It is expected to look at staff and management's handling of the concerns around Letby, as well as the babies' parents experiences and whether changes are needed to the NHS culture around caring for newborns. The Thirwall Inquiry was formally established in October, and a preliminary hearing is expected to take place this spring, before the full hearings begin in the autumn.
Officials say the inquiry will be "conducted in as open and transparent a manner as possible" - but will also be bound by the court orders from the trial, which will prevent the reporting of certain identifying details. Details of events which are subject to court orders will be redacted before they are released to the public and participants in the inquiry.
Speaking when the inquiry was announced last year, Health Secretary Steve Barclay said: "Losing a child is the greatest sorrow any parent can experience, and I cannot begin to imagine the hurt and suffering experienced by the families affected by Lucy Letby's horrific crimes. We have a duty to get them the answers they deserve, to hold people to account where they need to be, and to make sure lessons are learned."
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