Letby inquiry should be live-streamed, say families

Lucy Letby was given 14 whole life sentences

The public inquiry into serial killer Lucy Letby's crimes should be live-streamed to prevent "grossly offensive" conspiracies, families of her victims have said.

The inquiry, which will begin on September 10 at Liverpool Town Hall, will look into how the nurse was able to murder babies on the Countess of Chester's neonatal unit in 2015 and 2016, the conduct of others at the hospital, and the culture in the wider NHS.

Letby, of Hereford, was sentenced to 14 whole life orders after she was convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder six others, with two attempts on one of her victims.

A preliminary hearing, chaired by Lady Justice Thirlwall, was held at Chester Racecourse on Thursday when submissions on whether hearings should be publicly broadcast were heard.

'Moral obligation'

Peter Skelton KC, representing the families of six babies, said Letby's crimes continued to be the subject of online conspiracy theories.

He described the theories as "grossly offensive" and "distressing" for the families, who he compared to relatives of school shooting victims in the US.

He added: "One of the most effective antidotes to those theories, and the damage they cause, will be to see and to hear the people involved in the hospital give a true and comprehensive account of the facts."

He said a submission by lawyers representing the hospital, which has said a live stream might make witnesses less inclined to speak with candour, was "extraordinary".

He said: "All the staff working at the hospital are public servants, they have a moral obligation to give a true and complete account."

'High-level of anxiety'

Richard Baker KC, representing some of the other families, said his clients had suffered "an unimaginable harm in unimaginable circumstances".

He said they were "saddened" and "concerned" at the suggestion the lack of transparency might continue.

Andrew Kennedy KC, representing the Countess of Chester, said the hospital wanted to provide "as much assistance" to the inquiry as it could.

But he said there was a "high level of anxiety" from staff at the prospect of giving their evidence being live-streamed.

He said: "Our desire, and no doubt the inquiry's desire, is for witnesses to be able to speak frankly and with candour, and anything that can be done to facilitate that should be done.

"If a witness is concerned about live-streaming then if we can remove that concern we can, we would suggest, encourage candour, frankness and openness."

Lady Justice Thirlwall is leading the inquiry

Rachel Langdale KC, counsel to the inquiry, said court orders that prevent the identification of a number of people involved, including all of the babies, had to be complied with.

The hearing was told 188 requests for information had been made to individuals including midwives, nurses, doctors, managers and members of the hospital board.

Lady Justice Thirlwall said she would give her decision on whether the hearings would be broadcast at a later date.