Lucy Letby inquiry granted legal powers to force hospital staff to give evidence

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The inquiry into the crimes of evil serial killer Lucy Letby will become statutory, the Health Secretary Steve Barclay has announced.The move grants the inquiry legal powers to compel witnesses, including both former and current staff of the Countess of Chester Hospital Trust, to appear and provide evidence.The decision comes shortly after Letby, 33, was sentenced to a whole-life term last week for murdering seven babies and attempting to murder six more.Mr Barclay said: "The crimes committed by Lucy Letby are truly harrowing, and my thoughts remain with the families of her victims."Following her conviction, we announced an inquiry and said the nature of this inquiry would be shaped by the families."Having now discussed this with the families, we will launch a full statutory inquiry giving it the legal powers to compel witnesses to give evidence."This statutory public inquiry will aim to give the families the answers they need and ensure lessons are learned."The upcoming inquiry aims to examine the broader context of events at the Trust, including the handling of concerns and governance, alongside scrutinising the measures undertaken by both regulators and the wider NHS.The specific scope of the inquiry's investigation will be outlined in the forthcoming publication of its terms of reference.The Government said it will look to appoint a judge to chair the inquiry and the Health and Social Care Secretary is working with colleagues across Government to identify a suitable candidate as soon as possible.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".Richard Scorer, head of abuse law and public