FAMILIES FAIL TO OVERTURN DECISION NOT TO CHARGE LETBY FURTHER

Families of six babies said to have been harmed by Lucy Letby have failed in a bid to overturn the Crown Prosecution Service's decision not to bring further criminal charges against the nurse. The CPS ruled in January that no new charges would be brought relating to nine children, including two who died, as the "evidential test was not met". An independent prosecutor completed an extensive review of the case following requests from six families under the Victims' Right to Review scheme, but upheld the original decision.

Cheshire Constabulary had passed a file of evidence to the CPS for consideration of allegations arising from a review of deaths and non-fatal collapses of babies during Letby's employment at the Countess of Chester Hospital and Liverpool Women's Hospital between 2012 and 2016. Six offences of attempted murder were reconsidered in relation to six of the babies as part of the review process. Malcolm McHaffie, head of the CPS's special crime division, stated that the independent review involved a re-examination of substantial evidence and material before reaching its conclusion.

The CPS said it has written to the families involved and will offer meetings to address any further questions they may have. Letby, aged 36, was previously convicted of offences relating to babies in her care at the Countess of Chester Hospital. The outcome concludes the formal review process initiated by the families under the Victims' Right to Review scheme.