# 18m inquiry built on murders that may never have happened > A two-year public inquiry into Lucy Letby's convictions cost taxpayers millions while mounting evidence suggests the crimes may not have occurred. - Title: 18m inquiry built on murders that may never have happened - Summary: A two-year public inquiry into Lucy Letby's convictions cost taxpayers millions while mounting evidence suggests the crimes may not have occurred. Judge… - Keywords: lucy letby, public inquiry, lady justice thirlwall, criminal convictions, medical evidence, countess of chester hospital, neonatal ward, criminal cases review commission, prosecution evidence, judicial review, news, entertainment - Source: Dailymail — https://dailymail.com/debate/article-16134125/ludicrous-two-year-18m-inquiry-Lucy-Letby-looks-increasingly-likely-werent-murders-PETER-HITCHENS.html?ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490&ns_mchannel=rss - Published: 2026-09-16T00:00:46+00:00 - Read time: 3 min - Topics: lucy letby, public inquiry, lady justice thirlwall, criminal convictions, medical evidence, countess of chester hospital, neonatal ward, criminal cases review commission, prosecution evidence, judicial review, news, entertainment ## 18 million pound inquiry on shaky ground A two-year public inquiry into Lucy Letby cost taxpayers over 18 million pounds while evidence increasingly suggests she may not have committed any murders at all. ## Judge ignored mounting expert doubts Lady Justice Thirlwall proceeded with the inquiry despite growing numbers of experts and public figures expressing grave doubts about the safety of Letby's convictions. ## Medical evidence called weak and confused Since the convictions, experts have concluded the medical evidence against Letby is weak, confused, and highly ingenious rather than straightforward proof of guilt. ## No confession, just a statement Letby's so-called confession was nothing of the sort, undermining a key piece of the prosecution's case against her. ## Top neonatologist says no murders Distinguished neonatologist Dr Shoo Lee concluded there were no murders, though the hospital was so poorly run it should have been closed down. ## Door-swipe evidence was backwards Records supposedly showing Letby's movements on the neonatal ward were back to front, causing major difficulties for a prosecution witness who based testimony on the wrong data. ## Statistical claims don't hold up Claims that Letby was always present when babies died are statistical slop, not credible evidence of involvement in the deaths. ## Friends stood by her publicly Letby's close friends publicly supported her when they could easily have distanced themselves, suggesting they believe in her innocence. ## Crown prosecution refused new cases The Crown Prosecution Service twice refused to proceed with new cases against Letby from Cheshire Constabulary, despite police pressure, suggesting weak evidence. ## Police chief departed unexpectedly The Chief Constable of Cheshire announced his departure soon after the Crown Prosecution Service refused the new cases, making clear he would have preferred to stay. ## No evidence of insulin poisoning There was never any evidence that Letby poisoned any babies with insulin, a key allegation in the prosecution case. ## Judge cited unproven poisoning claim Thirlwall cited the supposed insulin poisoning as if it were proven fact in her remarks, despite no evidence supporting it. ## CCTV recommendation is deeply ironic Thirlwall recommended fitting CCTV in neonatal wards, which would likely have exonerated Letby since nobody ever saw her harm anybody. ## Hospital dysfunction, not murder The hospital was unhygienic, understaffed, under-equipped and wrongly forced to handle patients beyond its competence, explaining deaths without needing a serial killer. ## Judge refused to pause proceedings In March 2025, Thirlwall dismissed a request to pause the inquiry until the Criminal Cases Review Commission completed its safety review, despite it being a reasonable request. ## Judge blocked Letby's legal representation Thirlwall refused a request from Letby's lawyer Mark McDonald to participate in the proceedings, preventing her legal team from presenting evidence. ## Inquiry ignores Post Office precedent Modern Britain has seen many wrongful convictions including the Post Office sub-postmasters scandal, yet the judge proceeded without caution or diplomatic delay. ## Judge claims inquiry is separate from guilt Thirlwall argued the inquiry is fair because it does not scrutinise Letby's convictions, yet she cited unproven allegations as fact in her recommendations. > The inquiry does not become unfair because there is a possibility, as is asserted, that all the convictions are unsafe. ## Millions wasted on mythical murders The inquiry offered ways to prevent mythical murders while ignoring the real problem: a hospital so badly run it should have been closed down. ## Key takeaway Judge Thirlwall proceeded with a major public inquiry despite growing expert doubts about whether Lucy Letby committed any murders at all, potentially wasting 18 million pounds on recommendations for crimes that may not have happened.