Police Criticize Efforts to Tarnish Reputations in Letby Investigation
Cheshire Constabulary has issued a robust rebuttal after a former cabinet minister accused officers of rule breaches during the Letby probe. The force said the allegations were unfounded and risked harming public trust.
Force rejects allegations
The police statement said it “strongly refutes” claims made in Parliament. It stressed confidence in the investigation’s integrity and the decisions reached by prosecutors and judges.
Cheshire Constabulary added that ongoing commentary has created “constant noise”. The force warned that sensational claims could erode confidence in the wider justice system.
What was alleged in Parliament
Sir David Davis told ministers he planned to ask the Director of Public Prosecutions to review the force’s conduct. He said there had been “multiple deviations from best professional practice” and urged the release of investigation documents.
He requested material including investigators’ policy books, decision logs, records of lines of inquiry, and meeting minutes. He has also described the case as a major injustice and called for further scrutiny.
Case background
Lucy Letby, 35 from Hereford, was convicted at Manchester Crown Court. She received 15 whole-life orders for murdering seven infants and attempting to murder seven others.
The offences occurred between June 2015 and June 2016. They took place while Letby worked on the neonatal unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital.
Ongoing review
The Criminal Cases Review Commission is examining the case. This follows judges’ refusals of Letby’s challenges to her convictions.
Response and wider concerns
The force said scrutiny is legitimate and necessary. But it insisted that criticism should be based on verified facts and not undermine due process.
Cheshire Constabulary accused a small group of spreading misinformation and attempting to destroy reputations. It said police criticize efforts that seek to tarnish reputations in the Letby investigation and appealed for evidence-based debate.
Victims and public confidence
The statement emphasised commitment to victim-focused justice and the rule of law. It also offered sympathy to the families of the babies, who it said remain central to the case.
Cheshire Constabulary concluded that responsible commentary and factual scrutiny best protect public confidence in policing and the courts.
