Three people have been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter following an investigation into the Lucy Letby murders.
The former nurse, 35, is serving 15 whole life orders for the murder of seven infants and the attempted murder of seven others between June 2015 and June 2016 at the Countess of Chester Hospital.
Three members of the senior leadership team who worked at the hospital between 2015 and 2016 have now been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter after the investigation prompted by Letby’s murder convictions, Cheshire Constabulary said on Tuesday.
The force said the trio were arrested on Monday but have all since been bailed pending further inquiries.
It added that corporate manslaughter and gross negligence manslaughter probes are continuing.
Detective Superintendent Paul Hughes, senior investigating officer for Operation Duet, said: “In October 2023 following the lengthy trial and subsequent conviction of Lucy Letby, Cheshire Constabulary launched an investigation into corporate manslaughter at the Countess of Chester Hospital (CoCH).
“This focuses on senior leadership and their decision-making to determine whether any criminality has taken place concerning the response to the increased levels of fatalities.
“In March 2025 the scope of the investigation widened to also include gross negligence manslaughter.
“This is a separate offence to corporate manslaughter and focuses on the grossly negligent action or inaction of individuals. It is important to note that this does not impact on the convictions of Lucy Letby for multiple offences of murder and attempted murder.
“As part of our ongoing enquiries, on Monday 30 June three individuals who were part of the senior leadership team at the CoCH in 2015-2016, were arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.
“All three have subsequently been bailed pending further enquiries.
“Both the corporate manslaughter and gross negligence manslaughter elements of the investigation are continuing and there are no set timescales for these.
“Our investigation into the deaths and non-fatal collapses of babies at the neo-natal units of both the Countess of Chester Hospital and the Liverpool Women’s Hospital between the period of 2012 to 2016 is also ongoing.”
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