Lucy Letby inquiry upgraded statutory UK health secretary confirms

author: FutureCar Staff    

The UK health secretary, Steve Barclay, has announced that the inquiry into serial killer Lucy Letby's crimes will become statutory. This means that the inquiry will have legal powers to compel witnesses, including former and current staff of the Countess of Chester Hospital Trust, to provide evidence.

This decision comes shortly after Letby, 33, was sentenced to a whole-life term for murdering seven babies and attempting to murder six more. Mr. Barclay expressed his condolences to the families of Letby's victims and stated that the crimes committed by Letby were truly harrowing.

The full statutory inquiry, which will be launched, aims to give the families the answers they need and ensure that lessons are learned. It will examine the broader context of events at the Trust, including the handling of concerns and governance, as well as scrutinizing the measures taken by regulators and the wider NHS.

The specific scope of the inquiry's investigation will be outlined in the forthcoming publication of its terms of reference. The government intends to appoint a judge to chair the inquiry, and the Health and Social Care Secretary is working with colleagues across the government to identify a suitable candidate as soon as possible.

The announcement of the statutory inquiry has been welcomed by lawyers representing families of Letby's victims. They believe that without these legal powers, the inquiry would have been ineffectual. Richard Scorer, head of abuse law and public inquiries at law firm Slater and Gordon, emphasized the importance of the chair having the power to compel witnesses to give evidence under oath and force the disclosure of documents.

The Lucy Letby inquiry is not only essential for the parents of Letby's victims but also important for society as a whole, as it seeks to uncover the truth and ensure accountability.

FutureCar Staff