Key Prosecution Witness in Lucy Letby Trial Did Not Disclose Employer Investigation

Dr Dewi Evans, the retired paediatrician who served as the lead prosecution expert witness in the Lucy Letby murder trial, did not disclose that he was reportedly under investigation by his employers until after giving evidence, according to reports from the British Medical Journal.

Evans played a central role in the prosecution case against Letby, the former neonatal nurse at Countess of Chester Hospital who was convicted in 2023 of murdering seven infants and attempting to murder seven others. The retired paediatrician reviewed clinical records for 61 cases and produced detailed reports concluding that Letby had caused infant collapses and deaths, including through air injection.

Expert Changes His Mind

The disclosure comes as Evans has since revised his medical opinion on key aspects of his original testimony, according to reports. Letby’s legal team says he no longer believes air was injected down a nasogastric tube in the cases of Babies C, I and P – contradicting his original conclusions that helped secure her conviction.

Letby was found guilty of the murders and attempted murders between June 2015 and June 2016 at the Countess of Chester Hospital’s neonatal unit. Her defence argued that the prosecution relied heavily on her presence during incidents amid what they described as systemic staffing and care failures at the hospital.

The case began after a cluster of infant deaths and collapses prompted consultant concerns in 2015-2016, leading to a police investigation. Letby was removed from clinical duties in 2016, and her 2023 trial featured prosecution evidence including shift patterns, text messages, Facebook searches, and handwritten notes that were interpreted as confessions.

Medical Evidence Under Scrutiny

Post-conviction developments have intensified scrutiny of the medical evidence. According to reports, a panel of experts led by Dr Rhodri Taylor reviewed the trial evidence and concluded that they found no medical evidence supporting deliberate harm by Letby, instead attributing the incidents to natural causes or poor care standards.

The Crown Prosecution Service maintains that two juries and three appeal judges upheld the convictions based on multiple strands of evidence. Officials have stated that Evans’ revision of his opinion does not constitute fresh evidence that would alter Letby’s legal responsibility for the crimes.

However, Letby’s legal team argues there is overwhelming evidence of a wrongful conviction, pointing to the lead expert changing his mind and what they describe as disputed medical interpretations throughout the original trial.

Ongoing Investigations

A public inquiry into hospital failures – examining management accountability rather than Letby’s guilt – is due to conclude soon. The inquiry has focused on how the hospital handled the crisis and treated families affected by the deaths.

Police continue to investigate other cases potentially involving Letby, even as the families of the babies involved have reportedly found the challenges to her guilt distressing. Some medical specialists have questioned the plausibility of claims around air injection, insulin poisoning, and trauma that formed part of the prosecution case.

Key Takeaways

• According to the BMJ, Dr Dewi Evans, lead prosecution expert, did not disclose an employer investigation until after testifying in the Lucy Letby trial
• Evans has reportedly since revised his medical opinion on key evidence, no longer believing air injection occurred in three cases
• The reported disclosure adds to growing post-conviction scrutiny of the medical evidence presented at Letby’s murder trial

What This Means for Kent Residents

While the Lucy Letby case occurred at Countess of Chester Hospital in Cheshire and has no direct impact on Kent’s healthcare services, it highlights the importance of transparency in medical expert testimony that Kent families should be aware of when engaging with the NHS. Kent residents can be reassured that NHS Kent and Medway has not been linked to these incidents, and local neonatal services continue to operate under established safety protocols. Parents in Kent with concerns about neonatal care can contact NHS 111 for guidance, or speak directly with their GP or local hospital staff about safety measures in place at Kent’s maternity units.