Police Force Voices Disappointment Over Prosecution Decision in Letby Case
Cheshire Constabulary has taken the unusual step of publicly criticising the Crown Prosecution Service's decision not to bring further criminal charges against convicted child killer nurse Lucy Letby. The force expressed clear disappointment with the outcome, stating it was "not the outcome that we had anticipated throughout our investigation."
Evidence Submitted for Additional Allegations
Investigators from Cheshire Police passed a substantial file of evidence to prosecutors in July 2025, requesting consideration of additional allegations against the 36-year-old former nurse. The evidence related to eight potential further offences of attempted murder and one offence of murder at the Countess of Chester Hospital, where Letby previously worked. Additionally, two further allegations concerning one child at Liverpool Women's Hospital were included in the submission.
Cheshire Constabulary maintained in their statement that "we believed the evidence submitted met the Crown Prosecution Service charging standard." However, prosecutors reached a different conclusion following what they described as a thorough review of the material presented to them.
CPS Explains Decision-Making Process
Frank Ferguson, head of the CPS's special crime and counter terrorism division, explained the reasoning behind the decision. "We concluded that the evidential test was not met in any of those cases," he stated. "As always, this decision was made independently, based on the evidence and in line with our legal test."
The CPS confirmed they had considered offences of murder and attempted murder concerning two infants who died, and attempted murder regarding seven infants who survived. Ferguson added that the CPS had written to the families involved and would offer meetings to explain their decision-making process in greater detail.
Ongoing Legal Challenges and Campaign
Letby, who is from Hereford, continues to serve 15 whole-life orders after being convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others between June 2015 and June 2016. She has twice been denied permission to appeal against her convictions in 2024.
A campaign group supporting Letby has submitted thirty-one reports to the Criminal Cases Review Commission, compiled by twenty-six internationally renowned experts, in an attempt to have her convictions overturned. Barrister Mark McDonald, representing Letby, stated: "Lucy Letby has always maintained her innocence – she has never hurt a child and never would."
MP David Davis, one of the public figures supporting Letby's bid for freedom, welcomed the CPS decision not to bring further charges. In a social media post, he urged the CCRC to "conclude its review quickly and refer the case to the Court of Appeal," adding that "any retrial in Lucy Letby's case should happen as quickly as possible."
Police Appeal for Sensitivity
In their statement, Cheshire Constabulary acknowledged that "there will be some who will feel that this is news worth celebrating," but emphasised that they did not share this view. The force requested that "people respect the privacy and feelings of the families involved" in this deeply sensitive and complex case.
