David Davis Condemns 'Egregious' Police Failures in Lucy Letby Case
Conservative former cabinet minister David Davis has launched a scathing attack on Cheshire police, accusing them of making 'egregious' failures in the investigation into nurse Lucy Letby. Speaking in a parliamentary debate, Davis asserted that Letby has suffered a serious miscarriage of justice, based on reviews by two former police detectives.
Criticism of Police Procedures
Davis highlighted that Cheshire police failed to follow official guidance and best professional practice. He pointed out that the force did not appoint appropriate medical and statistics experts, nor did they pursue all possible lines of inquiry into the deaths and collapses of babies at the Countess of Chester hospital's neonatal unit between 2015 and 2016.
The investigation was initiated after a meeting with two consultants from the hospital, who Davis noted had been involved in seriously inadequate care of the babies. This led to a narrow focus on suspicion against Letby, rather than a comprehensive examination of all factors.
Expert Reviews and Alleged Miscarriage
Davis based his intervention on reviews by former Detective Superintendent Stuart Clifton, who led the Beverley Allitt investigation, and former Assistant Chief Constable Steve Watts, author of national police guidelines on healthcare death investigations. Initially believing Letby was guilty, both ex-detectives now agree, after examining the hard facts, that the case represents a serious miscarriage of justice.
He criticised the police for failing to appoint a panel of experts as advised, standing down medical statistician Professor Jane Hutton, and lacking proper due diligence on appointed experts like retired paediatrician Dr Dewi Evans.
Background and Ongoing Legal Challenges
Lucy Letby was convicted in 2023 of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven more during her tenure at the Chester hospital's neonatal unit. She received 15 whole-life sentences, with the Court of Appeal refusing permission to appeal. However, since the convictions, dozens of medical experts have argued the babies died from natural causes and poor care, with no evidence of deliberate harm.
Letby's lawyer, Mark McDonald, has applied to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) to have the case sent back to the Court of Appeal, with the CCRC currently reviewing the application.
Historical Context and Government Response
Davis drew parallels to Cheshire police's past investigation of Sally Clark, wrongly convicted in 1999 based on flawed statistical evidence, urging lessons to be learned. He plans to call on the Director of Public Prosecutions to review the conduct of both the Crown Prosecution Service and Cheshire police.
In response, policing minister Sarah Jones defended the convictions, stating Letby was convicted following a proper process and that Cheshire police have received high ratings from the police inspectorate. She emphasised that due process, including trial by jury and appeal, was upheld, expressing confidence in the force's effectiveness.
