James Wild MP - Weekly Column
Everyone has been shocked by the utterly appalling murders and attempted murders of babies committed by nurse Lucy Letby. As she begins a whole-life term attention now focuses on questioning how these terrible crimes could have been committed, whether they could have been prevented, and what lessons can be learned to try and stop anything similar happening.
As that process begins it is important to remember that ultimately one person is responsible for carrying out these killings on that neonatal unit. However, it is right that questions are asked and there is proper accountability for the families and for the innocent victims.
After the verdicts were delivered, I watched an incredibly powerful BBC Panorama programme on the case. It made for difficult viewing. It contains extremely disturbing revelations by consultants who spoke about how they repeatedly tried to raise concerns about Letby and her links to the deaths. Among questions the public inquiry will need to consider is why suspicions and warnings were ignored? Why it took two years for the police to be called in? Why the hospital process led to the killer getting an apology from consultants trying to raise the alarm?
As part of that, an area that should be considered is whether hospital managers should be subject to similar regulation as doctors and nurses. One of the consultants who first raised concerns has called for this and highlighted that too often managers simply move around the system. The intention of this approach would be to provide accountability for how managers operate in NHS Trusts. Now the families should be listened to about the type of inquiry they want to see to provide the accountability that is vital.
Letby is the latest in a series of serious offenders – including a sex offender in West Norfolk - who refused to come to court for sentencing and to hear victim impact statements. When defendants in murder, rape and other serious cases hide in their cells they are effectively abusing their victim and the victim’s family again.
This is an issue where I have campaigned for a change in the law because it is important for public confidence that justice is seen to be done. The families of victims in these and other previous cases have rightly criticised the cowardice of those who refuse to appear. So I hope the Justice Secretary will bring forward legislative changes shortly to give judges powers to compel defendants to appear, and the option to make refusal to attend an aggravating factor and impose a longer sentence. Concerns have been raised about potential disruption of the courtroom by offenders made to attend – however judges are well placed to manage any outbursts.
It is the truly appalling nature of these crimes and a nurse killing babies under her care that has shocked people. The Judge said Letby’s position of responsibility aggravated the seriousness of the offences. While it is vitally important that accountability is provided, we should not let the depraved actions of this individual smear the reputations of dedicated staff across the NHS.
First published in Lynn News, 25 August 2023.
