Inquests into deaths of six babies murdered by Lucy Letby delayed until 2027

"The inquiry can now give a further update regarding publication of the final report. The report will be published at the earliest practical date. However, that will not be until after the summer recess of Parliament. We will give further updates regarding publication in due course."

"The coroner considers it appropriate to maintain the suspension in order to ensure that the findings and recommendations of the Thirlwall Inquiry can be fully considered before the inquests proceed. The matter will be further reviewed in November, added the statement."

"Full hearings into their deaths were scheduled for September after each inquest was previously opened and suspended. However, the hearings have been relisted to provisionally begin on May 10 2027, after it was announced that Lady Justice Thirlwall's inquiry report into how the nurse was able to commit her crimes will not be published until at least September."

"Letby, 36, from Hereford, is serving 15 whole-life orders after she was convicted at Manchester Crown Court of murdering seven infants and attempting to murder seven others between June 2015 and June 2016. She was twice denied permission to appeal against her convictions in 2024."

Inquests into the deaths of six babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital in 2015 and 2016 were suspended and then formally continued. The hearings were previously scheduled for September but have been relisted to provisionally begin on May 10, 2027. The delay is linked to the timing of Lady Justice Thirlwall’s inquiry report, which will not be published until at least September after the summer recess of Parliament. The coroner said the suspension should remain so findings and recommendations from the inquiry can be fully considered before the inquests proceed. The inquests will be reviewed again in November. Lucy Letby is serving 15 whole-life orders after convictions for murdering seven infants and attempting to murder seven others between June 2015 and June 2016.

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