Detective Superintendent Paul Hughes, Senior Investigating Officer for Operation Duet said: “This focuses on senior leadership and their decision making to determine whether any criminality has taken place concerning the response to the increased levels of fatalities”
Three ex members of the senior leadership team at a hospital where Lucy Letby worked have been arrested in connection with alleged manslaughter.
The three were in leadership roles at the Countess of Chester Hospital in 20015 and 2016 but have not been named. They were arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.
It comes after Letby, 35, was found guilty of murdering seven children as well as attempting to murder seven more between June 2015 and June 2016. She had been working at the neonatal unit at the hospital at the time.
All three ex-members of the senior leadership team who were arrested have been bailed. The arrests will further put a spotlight at the hospital where Letby carried out the killings, making her the UK’s worst serial killer in modern times.
Following Letby’s conviction, police started investigating any possible corporate manslaughter offences at the hospital. An inquiry was later widened to find if anyone was guilty of gross negligence manslaughter.
Detective Superintendent Paul Hughes, Senior Investigating Officer for Operation Duet said: “In October 2023 following the lengthy trial and subsequent conviction of Lucy Letby, Cheshire Constabulary launched an investigation into corporate manslaughter at the Countess of Chester Hospital.
“This focuses on senior leadership and their decision making to determine whether any criminality has taken place concerning the response to the increased levels of fatalities.
“In March 2025 the scope of the investigation widened to also include gross negligence manslaughter. This is a separate offence to corporate manslaughter and focuses on the grossly negligent action or inaction of individuals.
“It is important to note that this does not impact on the convictions of Lucy Letby for multiple offences of murder and attempted murder. As part of our ongoing enquiries, on Monday 30th June three individuals who were part of the senior leadership team at the CoCH in 2015-2016, were arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.
“All three have subsequently been bailed pending further enquiries.
“Both the corporate manslaughter and gross negligence manslaughter elements of the investigation are continuing and there are no set timescales for these.
“Our investigation into the deaths and non-fatal collapses of babies at the neo-natal units of both the Countess of Chester Hospital and the Liverpool Women’s Hospital between the period of 2012 to 2016 is also ongoing.”
The guilty verdict of Letby has sparked several medical experts to release a report claiming she committed no criminal offences. These claims have been argued against by other medical professionals as well as families of the victims.
Letby is now being held at HMP Bronzefield, in ashford, Surrey. The prison is an adult and young offender female prison.
