Lucy Letby inquiry will be upgraded to statutory, UK health secretary confirms

Lawyers representing families of some of the babies attacked by Letby have welcomed the announcement, insisting that “without these powers, the inquiry would have been ineffectual”.

The inquiry into serial killer Lucy Letby’s crimes will become statutory, the Health Secretary Steve Barclay has announced (Cheshire Police/PA)

The inquiry into serial killer Lucy Letby’s crimes will become statutory, UK health secretary Steve Barclay has announced.

The move to a statutory footing grants the inquiry legal powers to compel witnesses, including both former and current staff of the Countess of Chester Hospital Trust, to provide evidence.