Doctor Who Backed Lucy Letby Admits She Deceived Him During Inquiry
The doctor supported the nurse’s grievance case against the hospital but admitted he may have been ‘manipulated’ in their 1,355 messages regarding the convicted nurse who killed 7 babies.
During the Lucy Letby inquiry, a doctor mentioned that the nurse misled him and potentially manipulated him into sharing information about the deceased babies.
They exchanged 1,355 Facebook messages over a three-month period in 2016 while working together at the hospital. Letby was later convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others.
The doctor revealed that he provided reassurance to Letby regarding the care of three infants in June 2016, including one she was found guilty of attempting to murder and two triplets she was convicted of murdering.
He also supported Letby in her grievance case against being moved to non-patient duties and arranged observational visits for her at another hospital where he worked as a consultant.
Letby Seemed ‘Anxious’
When asked about the frequent messaging, the doctor explained that he offered support to Letby, who was struggling with her mental health and experiencing worry and anxiety, leading to frequent exchanges throughout the day and even at night.
One specific message involved Letby inquiring about a baby she was convicted of attempting to murder and questioning if she had done anything wrong, to which the doctor reassured her.
The doctor admitted that in hindsight, he may have shared too much information in their messages, especially regarding the care of other infants and the deaths of two babies in particular.
He reflected on the fact that he may have been misled and manipulated by Letby during their correspondence and expressed regret over the events that transpired.
‘Hindsight’
Looking back, the doctor acknowledged that he may have misconstrued Letby’s behavior as anxiety and shared more information than was appropriate. He also admitted to making errors in providing details and reassurance to Letby.
Despite ongoing regrets, the doctor maintained that he did not suspect deliberate harm caused to the deceased babies but acknowledged his lack of awareness of the full clinical picture.
The inquiry highlighted instances where the doctor shared information with Letby regarding investigations into the babies’ deaths, indicating that he may have been misled by her as well.
The inquiry is set to continue until the following year, with a report expected to be published in late 2025.
PA Media contributed to this report
