Three senior figures from the Countess of Chester Hospital leadership team have been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter. This action is part of an ongoing police investigation into how the hospital managed a series of unexplained infant deaths during the period when serial killer nurse Lucy Letby was active.
The arrests took place on Monday, June 30, and target senior staff members who were in post between 2015 and 2016. This timeframe coincides with Letby’s confirmed murders of seven babies and attempted murders of seven others on the hospital’s neonatal ward.
Cheshire Police confirmed the arrests are linked to Operation Duet, a significant criminal investigation launched in October 2023 following Letby’s conviction. In 2025, the scope of the investigation was expanded to include gross negligence manslaughter in addition to the original focus on corporate manslaughter.
Detective Superintendent Paul Hughes, who is leading the inquiry, stated: “This investigation is examining decisions taken at the highest level at the Countess of Chester Hospital during a time of increased fatalities. These arrests relate to the potential grossly negligent action—or inaction—of individuals in senior leadership.”
All three individuals arrested have been released on bail as police continue their enquiries. Their identities have not been disclosed to the public.
DS Hughes also emphasized: “It is important to note that these arrests do not impact Lucy Letby’s convictions, which remain in place for the murder and attempted murder of multiple babies. This is a separate and parallel investigation.”
The investigation into infant deaths remains active at both the Countess of Chester Hospital and 1 Women’s Hospital, covering incidents from 2012 to 2016. Lucy Letby, aged 35, was convicted in August 2023 and sentenced to a whole-life term for one of the UK’s most notorious serial child murder sprees.
Anyone with information that could assist Operation Duet is urged to contact Cheshire Police through their major incident portal or by calling 101 immediately. Further updates on this developing story will be provided as more details emerge.
Originally published by UKNIP.
