The Thirlwall inquiry

Lady Justice Thirlwall, one of the most senior judges in the UK, has been appointed to chair the Public Inquiry that follows the conviction, in August 2023, of nurse Lucy Letby for the murders of seven babies and the attempted murders of seven more babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital. The inquiry will operate within the legal framework of the Inquiries Act 2005, and the procedure and conduct of the inquiry will be under the direction of the Inquiry Chair, which means that the Chair will be able to take control and has legal powers to compel witnesses to give evidence.