Doctor worked in NHS for six months despite sexual harassment allegations

Serial killer Lucy Letby has been compared to Harold Shipman at a public inquiry opened up into the circumstances around the nurse’s murders.

The Thirwall Inquiry, which began on Monday, is looking into the events surrounding the crimes of Lucy Letby, including the failures of the hospital staff and leadership to respond to concerns raised.

The inquiry’s opening came amid growing speculation over the evidence used to convict Letby over the killings at Chester Countess Hospital last year. Chairwoman Lady Justice Thirwall started the hearing by stating it had caused “an enormous amount of stress” for the families of victims.

Rachel Langdale KC, counsel to the inquiry, then appeared to stamp down the validity of the convictions by comparing Letby to other serial killers, including GP Harold Shipman and nurse killer Beverley Allitt, who she said were manipulative and skilled at hiding in plain sight.

Shipman was found to have killed 250 of his patients while Allitt was convicted of killing four babies in the 1990s.

Ms Langdale said the third part of the inquiry would consider the wider NHS, including the current culture, governance and management structures.

She said: “History tells us that serial killers are deceptive, manipulative and skilled at hiding in plain sight.”

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Source: The Independent, 10 September 2024