Police Hit Back at Decision Not to Bring More Charges Against Nurse Lucy Letby

Key Points

• Lucy Letby, 36, from Hereford, serves 15 whole-life prison terms for murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others (two attempts on one victim) at Countess of Chester Hospital between June 2015 and June 2016.
• Cheshire Constabulary passed evidence to CPS in July 2025 on eight potential attempted murder offences and one murder at Countess of Chester Hospital, plus two allegations (attempted murder and murder) linked to one child at Liverpool Women’s Hospital.
• CPS, led by Frank Ferguson, reviewed evidence and decided no charges due to evidential test not met for two infant deaths (murder) and seven survived infants (attempted murder).
• CPS notified families and offered meetings; thoughts with them.
• Cheshire Constabulary publicly expressed disappointment, stating it believed evidence met CPS charging standard but respects decision; urged respect for families’ privacy.
• Solicitor Tamlin Bolton of Irwin Mitchell, representing affected families, highlighted lifelong impact of Letby’s convicted crimes and need for support for concerned families.​
• Letby’s barrister Mark McDonald stated she maintains innocence; 31 reports from 26 international experts submitted to CCRC claiming no murders; demands urgent Court of Appeal referral.
• Letby denied appeals twice in 2024.​
• MP David Davis welcomed CPS decision on X, urging quick CCRC review and retrial.

Chester (Cardiff Daily) 21 January 2026 – Cheshire Constabulary has publicly criticised the Crown Prosecution Service’s (CPS) decision not to pursue additional charges against convicted nurse Lucy Letby, who is serving 15 whole-life terms for the murder of seven babies and attempted murder of seven more at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

The force passed a file of evidence to prosecutors in July 2025 relating to potential further offences, including one alleged murder and eight attempted murders at the Countess of Chester Hospital, alongside two allegations concerning one child at Liverpool Women’s Hospital. Frank Ferguson, head of the CPS’s special crime and counter terrorism division, announced that after thorough review, no criminal charges would be brought. He emphasised the decision was independent and based on evidence failing the evidential test.

Why Did CPS Reject Further Charges Against Lucy Letby?

Frank Ferguson of the CPS stated: “We received a file of evidence from Cheshire Constabulary in July 2025 asking us to consider further allegations against Lucy Letby, 36, relating to deaths and non-fatal collapses of babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital and Liverpool Women’s Hospital.” As reported by Granada Reports correspondent Emma Sweeney of ITV News Granada, Ferguson added: “Following a thorough review of that evidence, we have decided that no criminal charges should be brought in respect of those further allegations.”

The CPS considered offences of murder in respect of two infants who died and attempted murder in respect of seven infants who survived, concluding “the evidential test was not met in any of those cases.” Ferguson noted: “As always, this decision was made independently, based on the evidence and in line with our legal test.” The CPS has written to the families involved and will offer meetings to explain the decision-making in further detail, with thoughts remaining with them.

Of the 11 potential charges, nine were alleged at Countess of Chester Hospital (eight attempted murders, one murder), and two at Liverpool Women’s Hospital (one attempted murder, one murder linked to one child).​

What Was Cheshire Constabulary’s Response to CPS Decision?

In a rare public statement, Cheshire Constabulary said the outcome was “not the outcome that we had anticipated throughout our investigation”. A force statement declared: “We believed the evidence submitted met the Crown Prosecution Service charging standard.”

“The CPS did not agree and despite our representations we must respect the decision that has been made,” it continued. The police added:

“There will be some who will feel that this is news worth celebrating. We do not share this view and would ask that people respect the privacy and feelings of the families involved.”

As covered by RTE News, this marked an unusual step for the force to speak out publicly against the prosecutors.​

How Have Families Reacted to the No-Charges Announcement?

Solicitor Tamlin Bolton from Irwin Mitchell, which represents families of babies Letby was convicted of harming or killing, said: “Those families we represent continue to be affected by Letby’s crimes which she was tried over and convicted of in a court of law.” Bolton added: “The impact of her actions can never be underestimated and will have a life-long effect on our clients.”​

“There may well be other families upset at today’s decision. It’s important that families with serious concerns about what happened to their babies are now supported so they can receive the answers they deserve,” Bolton stated.​

The CPS confirmed contact with families and offers of meetings.

What Do Lucy Letby’s Supporters Say About Her Case?

A group of campaigners backs Letby and has submitted reports to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) to overturn her convictions. Barrister Mark McDonald, who represents Letby, said: “Lucy Letby has always maintained her innocence – she has never hurt a child and never would.”​

“It is vital that the case is now referred back to the Court of Appeal as a matter of urgency. Thirty-one reports have been submitted to the CCRC, compiled by 26 internationally renowned experts, which provide overwhelming evidence that no babies were murdered,” McDonald declared. He added: “The reality is that a young innocent woman is in prison for crimes she has not committed.”​

The CCRC received Letby’s application, represented by McDonald, as noted in their statement. Earlier reports from McDonald included a 698-page analysis by 14 neonatal experts led by Dr Shoo Lee, concluding no medical evidence of malfeasance in the 17 trial cases, and an 86-page joint report on specific babies by seven experts.

Letby, convicted after trials totalling nearly ten months following a long police probe, was denied appeal permission twice in 2024.

Has MP David Davis Commented on Lucy Letby’s Situation?

MP David Davis, one of the public figures backing Letby’s bid for freedom, welcomed the CPS decision. In an entry on X, he said: “The CCRC must conclude its review quickly and refer the case to the Court of Appeal. It has long been my view that any retrial in Lucy Letby’s case should happen as quickly as possible.”

Davis’s post aligns with his prior views on expediting any retrial.​

What Is Lucy Letby’s Conviction Background?

Lucy Letby, from Hereford, worked as a neonatal nurse at Countess of Chester Hospital. She received 15 whole-life orders after conviction for murdering seven infants and attempting to murder seven others, including two attempts on one victim, between June 2015 and June 2016.

The crimes occurred at the hospital’s neonatal unit. Letby has consistently protested innocence through her legal team.

This development underscores ongoing tensions between investigators and prosecutors, while families and supporters process the implications amid Letby’s imprisonment.