Lucy Letby probe upgraded to statutory inquiry, health secretary confirms
ITV News' UK Editor Paul Brand explains an important development in an inquiry set up to find out if there have been more murderers within the NHS like Lucy Letby
The inquiry looking into failings around the case of baby murderer Lucy Letby has had its powers upgraded so it is on a statutory footing, the health secretary has confirmed amid building pressure.
"We will have a statutory inquiry into the Letby murders, into the events in Chester, that will be a judge-led inquiry, as the prime minister has confirmed, and that reflects the wishes of the families," Steve Barclay said.
The minister said he "wanted to discuss the terms of the inquiry with the families" before upgrading it, when asked why it had taken so long.
It is not yet clear which judge will lead the inquiry, with the government still in discussions, but Mr Barclay said "that is something we will announce in the coming days".
The statutory inquiry will investigate the wider circumstances around what happened at the Trust, including the handling of concerns and governance. It will also look at what actions were taken by regulators and the wider NHS.
Health Secretary Steve Barclay on upgrading the Letby inquiry
A whistleblowing doctor who helped stop the murderer, a lawyer representing seven of the families and a former chief executive at the hospital all urged Mr Sunak to put the inquiry on a statutory footing.
Dr Ravi Jayaram, a consultant paediatrician who worked with Letby, told ITV News there are "four or five babies who could be going to school now, who aren't" because bosses at the hospital ignored him and others.
Responding to Wednesday's announcement, Dr Jayraram told ITV News: “I don’t understand why, right at the start, there was a rush to say it was going to be non-statutory.
“I’m glad this is going to be a public inquiry because no stone will be left unturned and questions that need to be asked will be asked and the answers will be found – unlike in a non statutory inquiry where questions that will cause difficult or embarrassing answers won’t get asked.”
Prior to the announcement, Dr Ravi Jayaram had questioned whether a non-statutory inquiry will provide conclusions that lead to 'meaningful change' in the NHS
A statutory public inquiry is different to a weaker independent inquiry because it is led by a judge who can compel witnesses to attend and charge them with contempt if they do not.
There had been concerns that a number of people who have been accused of not taking tough action swiftly enough after issues were raised could avoid giving evidence, including the hospital's director of nursing Alison Kelly, hospital chief executive Tony Chambers, medical director and deputy chief executive Ian Harvey and others.
The prime minister initially defended the weaker independent inquiry, saying it would be the quickest way to find answers but it appeared almost everyone involved wanted it upgrading.
Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting also welcomed the news, writing on social media: “It’s right that the wishes of the families have now been taken into account.
“No stone can be left unturned in getting to the truth of this awful tragedy. Nothing short of the full force of the law would do.”
Lawyers representing families of some of the babies attacked by Letby have welcomed the announcement, insisting that “without these powers, the inquiry would have been ineffectual”.
“The crimes committed by Lucy Letby are truly harrowing, and my thoughts remain with the families of her victims," Mr Barclay said on Wednesday.
“Following her conviction, we announced an inquiry and said the nature of this inquiry would be shaped by the families.
"Having now discussed this with the families, we will launch a full statutory inquiry giving it the legal powers to compel witnesses to give evidence. "
The 33-year-old former nurse was sentenced to life in prison for murdering seven babies and attempting to murder six others at the Countess of Chester Hospital.
The inquiry will look into the circumstances behind the murders and attempted murders "to help ensure families get the answers they need", the government said.
There will be an examination of how concerns raised by clinicians were dealt with and victims’ families will be invited to both engage with the inquiry, "ensuring their views are heard throughout the process".
Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: “NHS leaders will welcome the announcement of the inquiry into what happened in Chester and that it will be on a statutory basis. It’s vital that lessons are learnt by the NHS, its regulators, clinicians and leaders.
“There are of course a series of questions that are being raised by the events in Chester and the inquiry will be best placed to establish the facts of these events and to draw conclusions and recommendations for the trust and the wider NHS.
“NHS leaders will support the work of the inquiry in whatever way they can.”
Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know...