Thirlwall Inquiry Report Published as Letby Defence Faces Internal Split

The final report of the Thirlwall Inquiry into how Lucy Letby was able to murder and harm babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital is being published on Tuesday, September 15, 2026. The public investigation, led by Lady Justice Thirlwall, examines institutional failures and the handling of concerns about the former neonatal nurse, not her guilt, which remains legally settled. Letby, 36, is serving 15 whole-life prison terms after being convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others between June 2015 and June 2016. The inquiry was established to investigate how the crimes went undetected and to provide answers for the victims' families. The report's publication, delayed from an original target of November 2025, comes amid ongoing debate about the safety of Letby's convictions. Her defence team has submitted evidence to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), the only body with the power to refer the case back to the Court of Appeal. The CCRC chair has stated the commission will pay close attention to the inquiry's findings.