Doctor who first accused Lucy Letby of murder admits he is 'not certain' and calls for a retrial

From the Newshound archive · first published 23 September 2026.

Dr John Gibbs, one of the consultants who first raised concerns about Lucy Letby harming babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital, has admitted he harbours a "very small concern there may not have been any deliberate harm done." He called a retrial "the most appropriate thing for everyone" and said it would be "appalling" if Letby had been jailed for crimes she did not commit. The Criminal Cases Review Commission is expected to decide before Christmas whether to refer the case to the Court of Appeal.

Letby, convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven more, has received 15 whole life sentences.

Dr Gibbs, who has left medicine and is now entering the Church of England's ordained ministry, said he does not take the new evidence at face value but believes it warrants "carefully considered" scrutiny.