The key prosecution expert witness in the Lucy Letby trial has branded statisticians questioning her guilt ‘arrogant’ and ‘ignorant.’
Dr Dewi Evans, whose reports demonstrating how babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital’s neo-natal unit were murdered and harmed were crucial to convicting the nurse, told the Mail he was ‘astounded’ by the intervention of expert statisticians who had ‘no knowledge’ of the detail of the case.
He said the police investigation and 10-month trial, at Manchester Crown Court, had ‘nothing to do with statistics’ and challenged those calling for the public inquiry, due to start today, to be postponed or its terms changed to a meeting to ‘thrash out’ their theories.
‘It is absolutely astounding that statisticians are pursuing this narrative,’ Dr Evans said. ‘The way the police investigated the case, the way the prosecution conducted the case and the way all of us gave evidence on behalf of the prosecution in the trial had nothing to do with statistics.
‘The problem is not that doctors and lawyers have insufficient knowledge of the statistics, the reality is statisticians know nothing about medical practice or the legal process.
‘None of these people have read the babies’ notes or seen the witness statements of doctors and nurses who worked at the Countess, or, it seems to me, properly read the Court of Appeal judgement that showed Letby’s convictions are safe.’
A fortnight ago, a group of 24 experts, made up of statisticians, scientists, doctors and neonatologists, wrote to the Government calling for the inquiry into Letby’s crimes, chaired by senior appeal court judge, Lady Justice Thirlwall, to be postponed.
Claims by a small number of experts that Lucy Letby was wrongly convicted is ‘upsetting’ for the families of her victims, their solicitorsaid yesterday.
On the eve of today’s opening of a public inquiry into her crimes, Tamlin Bolton, who represents the families of six victims, criticised those speculating about her guilt without knowing all the facts.
‘If you are going to give an expert opinion on something… it’s really important that you have all of the information,’ she told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
She added that ‘anything else outside of that is simply speculation’.
Ms Bolton added that the public inquiry is focused on the ‘duty of candour’ between patients and hospitals and ‘governance’ within the NHS, rather than Letby’s criminal convictions ‘which are final’.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Ms Bolton added: ‘I can’t stress enough how upsetting [it] has been for all of the families that I represent.’
They wanted time ‘for further investigation and to hear wider professional concerns.’
Their letter, which was sent to Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, also suggested the inquiry’s remit be widened to allow ‘a broader examination of potential factors contributing to the increased neonatal deaths, without the presumption of criminal intent.’
But the Government has seemingly rejected their demands and the hearings are due to begin at Liverpool Town Hall today.
Dr Evans said such calls would only compound the grief of the families of Letby’s victims.
‘By calling for the Thirlwall Inquiry to be postponed, or its terms redefined, they are not only showing complete contempt for due process, but also utter contempt for the families of Letby’s victims,’ Dr Evans added.
‘The parents of those babies have already waited eight or nine years to find out why their children died. Their children should be eight and nine years of age, enjoying the life that children everywhere deserve.
‘Instead the families have nothing to look forward to but a lifetime of grief. I cannot imagine the additional stress this is causing them.
‘For a group of statisticians, none of whom have read the babies’ medical notes or were involved in the trial, to think they know better demonstrates not only ignorance of the clinical process but a serious level of arrogance and lack of humility.’
Yesterday, the parents of twin boys, Babies E and F, who were attacked by Letby, hit out at those questioning her convictions, saying they found the comments ‘hurtful and distasteful’ and had made them ‘question humanity.’
They said ‘misinformation’ about the trial was being circulated and certain pieces of evidence, such as the graph that showed Letby on duty for every collapse and death, which statisticians claim is flawed, were being discussed ‘grossly out of context.’
Letby, formerly of Hereford, murdered one of their sons, Baby E, by injecting air into his bloodstream and ramming a piece of medical equipment down his throat, causing internal bleeding.
His brother, Baby F, was poisoned with insulin. He survived but has been left with brain damage.
Letby was convicted of the murder of seven babies and the attempted murder of seven more following two trials.
She has since had two attempts to appeal her convictions rejected by the Court of Appeal and is serving a whole life term in jail, meaning she will never be freed.
Last week she replaced her legal team and secured the pro bono services of renowned miscarriages of justice barrister, Mark McDonald.
He believes Letby is innocent and says he has already been contacted by doctors, statisticians, and experts keen to take on her case.
Mr McDonald said he will be applying to the Criminal Cases Review Commission in order to seek another hearing at the Court of Appeal on Letby’s behalf in due course.