By Lucy Caulkett-
An inquiry into the horrific crimes of serial killer nurse Lucy Letby, who was convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder six others, will not be livestreamed to the public, a ruling has confirmed. The decision, made by Lady Justice Thirlwall, aims to protect the identities of those involved and prevent the spread of conspiracy theories.
The inquiry, which will examine how Letby was able to commit these murders at the Countess of Chester Hospital’s neonatal unit between 2015 and 2016, is scheduled to begin at Liverpool Town Hall on September 10. Letby, 33, from Hereford, received 14 whole life orders for her crimes, marking one of the most shocking cases in recent British history.
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Lucy Letby, a neonatal nurse, carried out her killing spree over the course of a year, targeting vulnerable infants in her care. Her methods were chilling and varied, including injecting air into the babies’ bloodstreams, administering lethal doses of insulin, and tampering with feeding tubes. The initial suspicions arose after an unusual spike in infant deaths and collapses at the hospital’s neonatal unit, leading to an internal investigation.
The gravity of Letby’s actions sent shockwaves through the medical community and the public. Her trial revealed a pattern of deliberate harm and a betrayal of the trust placed in healthcare professionals. Despite her denials, the evidence presented by the prosecution was overwhelming, leading to her conviction and subsequent sentencing.
Families’ Concerns and Legal Arguments
Lawyers representing the families of the victims had pushed for the inquiry to be livestreamed to the public. They argued that public broadcasting of the proceedings would help counter “grossly offensive” conspiracy theories surrounding the case. However, Lady Justice Thirlwall dismissed this request, citing significant risks.
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In a ruling published on Wednesday, Lady Justice Thirlwall stated that live broadcasting could potentially breach court orders that protect the identities of individuals involved, including all the babies. She emphasized the severe impact that such a breach could have on the families.
“I do not accept that this is a risk the inquiry should take. Not only is there a significant risk to the inquiry itself, I take account of the human cost of a breach,” she said. “For a parent, who has already suffered so much, to be identified online is unthinkable.”
Despite the decision against live streaming, the hearings will be held in public. Those involved in the inquiry, including the families and media, will have the option to apply to watch the proceedings remotely via live links.
Lady Justice Thirlwall rejected the notion that a publicly available live broadcast would mitigate the spread of conspiracy theories. She pointed out that conspiracy theorists are not typically motivated by a genuine search for truth. “Searching for truth is not a characteristic of conspiracy theorists. Like those who promulgate fake news, they search for information which supports their world view. When they find none, they manufacture it, often using and distorting video footage to be found on the internet,” she explained.
Expectations from Witnesses
The judge acknowledged the anxiety and concerns among hospital staff about giving evidence in the inquiry. However, she made it clear that honesty and thorough reflection were expected from all witnesses. “I make it plain that, notwithstanding their nerves, I expect all witnesses, doctors and nurses included, to tell the truth, to make every effort to assist the inquiry when giving evidence and to reflect thoughtfully on what happened. Candour and frankness should be a given,” she stated.
The inquiry into Lucy Letby’s actions will assess the systemic failures that allowed such crimes to occur. It will seek to provide answers and closure to the affected families, and to implement changes to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The outcomes of this inquiry are anticipated to have far-reaching implications for hospital protocols and the safeguarding of patients in neonatal units across the UK.
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