Lucy Letby doctor's 'contradictory' email emerges over nurse who killed seven babies

An email has emerged which claims to "contradict" one of the doctor's claims child killer did not ask for help. Dr Ravi Jayaram testified at , where she was convicted of killing seven babies, saying the nurse was standing over Baby K's cot and had deliberately dislodged the breathing tube. The doctor's evidence in court said he had caught her "virtually red-handed".

However, in a newly released memo yesterday, it was claimed Dr Jayaram sent an email to his colleagues at the Countess of Chester Hospital on May 4, 2017, claiming the nurse called for help. He wrote: "At time of deterioration ... Staff nurse Letby at incubator and called Dr Jayaram to inform of low saturations."

The email, which was obtained by the UnHerd website, also claimed Dr Jayaram suggested Baby K's frailty was a possible cause of death. He wrote: "Baby subsequently deteriorated and eventually died, but events around this would fit with explainable events associated with extreme prematurity."

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The emergence of the email comes after a 14-strong panel published a report on April 3 alleging Letby committed no crimes at the Countless of Chester Hospital in 2015 and 2016. They provided a list of alternative causes of deterioration. However, this is despite the 35-year-old being convicted across two trials at Crown Court of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others, with two attempts on one of her victims, between June 2015 and June 2016. She is serving 15 whole-life orders.

Letby lost two bids last year to challenge her convictions at the Court of Appeal, in May for seven murders and seven attempted murders, and in October for the attempted murder of a baby girl which she was convicted of by a different jury at a retrial.

Last month, lawyers for the families of Letby’s victims rubbished the international panel’s findings as “full of analytical holes” and “a rehash” of the defence case heard at trial.

Detective Superintendent Paul Hughes, who is the Senior Investigating Officer, said their investigation into her crimes were "thorough" as they hit back at much of the "ill-informed" criticism.

He said: “The investigation into the actions of Lucy Letby, the trial process and medical experts continues to face scrutiny and criticism, much of it ill-informed and based on a very partial knowledge of the facts and totality of evidence presented at court and at the Court of Appeal.

“This case has been rigorously and fairly tested through two juries and subsequently scrutinised by two sets of appeal court judges. Lucy Letby’s trial was one of the longest running murder trials in British criminal history with the jury diligently carrying out their deliberations for more than 100 hours.

“It followed an investigation that had been running for six years – an investigation like no other in scope, complexity and magnitude. It was a detailed and painstaking process by a team of almost 70 police officers and no stone was left unturned. Preparing for the trial was a mammoth task with 32,000 pages of evidence being gathered and medical records running into thousands of pages being sifted through. Around 2,000 people were spoken to and almost 250 were identified as potential witnesses at trial.

“As the case unfolded, multiple medical experts – specialising in areas of paediatric radiology, paediatric pathology, haematology, paediatric neurology and paediatric endocrinology and two main medical experts (consultant paediatricians) – were enlisted to ensure that we carried out as thorough an investigation as possible.

“All are highly regarded in their area of expertise and were cross examined whilst giving their evidence in court. The details of the case are clear and have been widely reported on. Following recent commentary, we have chosen not to enter into the widespread public debate surrounding this case. We remain respectful of the judicial process and mindful of the families who are at the very heart of this.

“In the closing statements of the Thirlwall public inquiry the parents of the babies involved in the trial spoke of the significant impact this case continues to have on them – a decade after experiencing such trauma and grief. Their dignity and composure in the face of intense public discussions with little sensitivity or humanity is remarkable. Their words are incredibly honest and powerful and must not be lost in a sea of noise.

“It is out of a deep sense of respect for the parents of the babies that we have not and will not get drawn into the widespread commentary and speculation online and in the media. They have suffered greatly and continue to do so as this case plays out in a very public forum. There is a significant public interest in the reporting of this case, and everyone is entitled to an opinion however, every story that is published, statement made, or comment posted online that refers to the specific details of a live investigation can impede the course of justice and cause further distress to all those involved.

“Cheshire Constabulary is ready to support the CCRC and any appropriate review processes in order to inform any questions that may arise. Our priority is to maintain the integrity of our ongoing investigations and to continue to support the many families who are affected by this.”