Lucy Letby Inquiry Report Delayed Until After Parliament Summer Recess

The public inquiry investigating how Lucy Letby was able to murder seven infants and attempt to kill seven others has faced a further delay in publishing its report.

The Thirwall Inquiry, established to examine events at the Countess of Chester Hospital between 2015 and 2016 during Letby's tenure as a neonatal nurse, will now release its findings and recommendations after Parliament's summer recess, which concludes on 31 August.

This postponement has consequently pushed back the inquests into the deaths of six babies linked to Letby's convictions until May 2027. HM Coroner's Court Cheshire confirmed the inquests would "remain suspended" to allow full consideration of the inquiry's report.

Letby is currently serving 15 whole-life prison sentences for her crimes. The inquiry, held at Liverpool Town Hall, has scrutinised the hospital's handling of concerns about Letby, managerial decisions, and whether earlier intervention could have prevented further harm. This is the third delay for the report, which was initially anticipated in November 2025.

Separately, a senior healthcare executive who worked at the Countess of Chester was recently arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice and subsequently bailed. This arrest is part of ongoing criminal investigations into corporate manslaughter and gross negligence manslaughter at the hospital.