Former Countess of Chester Hospital boss arrested in Letby-related probe

A former boss at the hospital where nurse Lucy Letby murdered seven babies has been arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.

The killer nurse is serving 15 whole-life orders for murdering seven babies in a year-long reign of terror.

Letby, 36, also tried to kill seven others – including one baby twice – at Countess of Chester Hospital.

An investigation into corporate manslaughter and gross negligence manslaughter was launched into the Countess of Chester Hospital following her crimes.

Cheshire Police today confirmed one person was arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice as part of that probe.

The suspect was held yesterday following a search at a property connected to the investigation.

They have since been bailed pending further enquiries and the searches have concluded, the force said.

A spokesperson added: “Both the corporate manslaughter and gross negligence manslaughter elements of the investigation are continuing and there are no set timescales for these.”

Police confirmed the suspect is one of three arrested in June last year on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.

The trio, who were released on bail, were part of the senior leadership team at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

It comes after cops confirmed in January that Letby will face no new criminal charges into the deaths of two further babies.

A probe into whether Letby harmed any other babies on the ward or at Liverpool Women’s Hospital was launched following her conviction.

Letby carried out two work placements at Liverpool Women’s Hospital – where she trained as a student – between October and December 2012, and January and February 2015.

As part of the investigation, she was interviewed at HMP Bronzefield in Ashford, Surrey, under caution.

The decision not to proceed with charges came after a “file of evidence” was handed to prosecutors last July from Cheshire Police for consideration.

This included files relating to nine babies for nine possible offences of attempted murder and two tots feared to have been murdered.

Cheshire Constabulary said the outcome was “not what we had anticipated” as it believed the evidence submitted “met the Crown Prosecution Service charging standard”.

Letby was originally convicted of seven counts of murder in August 2024 following a nine-month trial and 22 days of jury deliberation.

She became only the fourth woman ever to be handed whole life tariff after Rose West, Joanna Dennehy and Myra Hindley when she was sentenced.

The killer was handed a further life order in July last year after being convicted of attempting to murder another baby following a retrial.

Her lawyers have submitted an application to the independent Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) citing a miscarriage of justice.

The CCRC is now investigating whether the case should be sent to the Court of Appeal, who are the only ones that can overturn a conviction.