Three Senior Leaders Arrested in Ongoing Investigation at Lucy Letby’s Former Hospital
Three senior figures from the leadership team at the Countess of Chester Hospital have been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter, as police intensify their investigation into how the trust responded to unexplained infant deaths during Lucy Letby’s tenure.
The arrests, made on Monday, June 30, relate to individuals who held senior roles at the hospital between 2015 and 2016—the period during which Letby murdered seven babies and attempted to murder seven more on the hospital’s neonatal unit.
Cheshire Police confirmed the arrests as part of Operation Duet, a wide-ranging criminal investigation launched in October 2023 following Letby’s conviction. The inquiry was later expanded in March 2025 to examine gross negligence manslaughter, in addition to its original corporate manslaughter scope.
“Focus is on decision-making failures”
Detective Superintendent Paul Hughes, leading the investigation, said:
“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 arrested individuals have been released on bail pending further inquiries. Their identities have not been disclosed.
DS Hughes added:
“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.”
Investigation still active at two hospitals
The wider criminal probe is also exploring the circumstances around baby deaths and non-fatal collapses at both the Countess of Chester Hospital and the Liverpool Women’s Hospital from 2012 to 2016.
Letby, now 35, was convicted in August 2023 and sentenced to a whole-life order for one of the UK’s most notorious serial child murder cases.
If you have information that may assist Operation Duet, contact Cheshire Police via their major incident portal or call 101.
Stay with us for updates as this developing story unfolds.
