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The hospital where killer nurse Lucy Letby worked didn’t allow investigators to see clinical notes, the trial prosecution’s lead medical expert has said.

The nurse was found guilty of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder six other infants while working on the hospital’s neonatal unit between June 2015 and June 2016.

Consultant paediatrician Dr Dewi Evans, who gave evidence as an expert witness during her 10-month trial, was asked to look at cases where babies had died or collapsed unexpectedly on the unit during this period.

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Dr Evans said there were three inquiries prior to his investigation, with one carried out by two consultant paediatricians and two nurses from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.

The investigation was organised by hospital management, but Dr Evans says the “terms of reference did not allow the clinical notes of the babies who had collapsed”.

Speaking to Sky’s Katerina Vittozzi, Dr Evans said Letby’s colleagues had expressed concerns about baby deaths during her shifts very early on but “nobody was listening to them”.

The consultant paediatrician says this doesn’t surprise him after 30 years of working on clinical negligence cases.

He said: “Those of us who deal with child abuse cases, usually the sentence of a negligent parent, we say that these are parents who are unable to distinguish their own needs, from the needs of that child or the needs of their children.

“And I think that health managers are exactly the same. They are unable to distinguish their own needs from the needs of the public or the needs of the patient. And this is endemic, you know, this always happens.”

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‘They’re still in denial’

Asked whether the Countess of Chester Hospital has a case to answer after the deaths, Dr Evans said: “I think they’re still in denial to be honest with you. I think they failed.

“That is not a matter for doctors, that is a matter for the police and other organisations.”

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Moment of Lucy Letby’s arrest

Dr Evans said when he began investigating the baby deaths and collapses he found that “a number of them” could not be explained on the “basis of any natural problem”.

Some had collapsed due to an embolism after they had been injected with air, while others had been overfed with a “huge amount of milk”.

Dr Evans said the “smoking gun” was when there was “no doubt” two babies had been “poisoned” after being found to have very high levels of insulin in their blood.

Jane Tomkinson, acting chief executive officer at the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Following the trial of former neonatal nurse Lucy Letby, the Trust welcomes the announcement of an independent inquiry by the Department of Health and Social Care.

“In addition, the Trust will be supporting the ongoing investigation by Cheshire Police.

“Due to ongoing legal considerations, it would not be appropriate for the Trust to make any further comment at this time.”

Letby is due to be sentenced on Monday.

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Two killed in stabbing at business premises in London

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Two killed in stabbing at business premises in London

Two men have died after a stabbing in central London.

Police were called to a business premises in Long Lane, Southwark, at 1pm on Monday, where they found four people had been stabbed.

A 58-year-old man died at the scene while three others were taken to hospital, the Metropolitan Police said. These included a 27-year-old man who has since died.

A third man, who is in his thirties, remains in hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening.

Another man in his thirties, who has been detained in connection with the incident, remains in a life-threatening condition in hospital.

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Detective Chief Superintendent Emma Bond said: “Our investigation is in the early stages and we are working hard to understand the full circumstances of this shocking incident.

“At this point, we do not believe it to be terrorism-related and there is no further risk to the public.”

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Lionesses celebrate Euros triumph at ‘very special’ Downing Street reception

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Lionesses celebrate Euros triumph at 'very special' Downing Street reception

The red carpet was rolled out at No 10 on Monday evening as the Lionesses attended a reception to celebrate their Euro 2025 victory.

The England squad went straight to Downing Street after touching down at Southend Airport in Essex less than 24 hours after they defeated Spain in a penalty shootout in Sunday’s final.

Led by captain Leah Williamson, who proudly clutched the trophy, the side posed for pictures outside No 10 before being greeted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner.

England women's football team pose for a photo in Downing Street, London, as they attend a reception at No 10, Pic: PA
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The England squad outside No 10. Pic: PA

England's team captain Leah Williamson carries the trophy when leaving a special reception, to celebrate their victory in the Women's Euro 2025 final, at Downing Street in London, Monday, July 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
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Leah Williamson carries the trophy. Pic: AP

Speaking to Sky News correspondent Ashna Hurynag after the 40-minute reception, England manager Sarina Wiegman described the celebration as “very, very special”.

“To be able to go inside and also be in the garden there, [was] really nice,” she said. “They had put up pictures of us to show what we had done in the Euros… it was very, very special.”

Some people on social media have called for the England boss – who is from the Netherlands – to get an honorary damehood, but Wiegman told Ashna Hurynag that she “hasn’t thought about that”.

“I feel so much respect from England and from the Royal Family too, I think that’s the most important thing, feeling valued,” she said.

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Weigman also joined some of the players to videocall Sir Keir Starmer, who was in Scotland with Donald Trump.

England attend Downing Street reception. Pic: Reuters
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England manager Sarina Wiegman and some of the players on a video call with Sir Keir Starmer. Pic: Reuters

England manager Sarina Wiegman speaks at a reception at No 10 Downing Street, London. Pic: Richard Pohle/The Times/PA Wire
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Pic: PA

Angela Rayner reacts during a reception to celebrate England's victory in the Women's EURO 2025, at Downing Street in London. Reuters
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Angela Rayner congratulates some of the players. Pic: Reuters

In a speech at the reception, the manager quipped: “I have to make my apologies [for giving] you lots of heart attacks.”

“We made it through and that’s why we’re here now,” she continued.

“The team is just incredible, we won the Euros but making the final, we’re already legendary. Thank you so much for having us here.”

As the Lionesses left Downing Street, some stopped to try and meet another famous feline – Larry the Cat.

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Sarina Wiegman and Leah Williamson with the trophy as she and members of the England team attend a reception at Downing St. Pic: PA
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Sarina Wiegman and Leah Williamson in the garden at No 10. Pic: PA

England's Esme Morgan, Anna Moorhouse and Grace Clinton try and get Larry the Cat's attention as they leave No.10 Downing Street. Pic: PA
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England’s Esme Morgan, Anna Moorhouse and Grace Clinton try and get Larry the Cat’s attention. Pic: PA

The celebrations will continue on Tuesday afternoon with an open-top bus parade through central London before the team gather outside Buckingham Palace.

The Lionesses retained their Women’s Euros title on Sunday night by beating Spain in Basel, Switzerland.

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Behind the scenes after Lionesses’ win

Mariona Caldentey put Spain 1-0 ahead in the first half, but England’s Alessia Russo levelled the score in the 57th minute.

The game finished 1-1 after 90 minutes, with the score remaining the same at the end of extra-time.

The match then went to a penalty shootout, which the Lionesses won 3-1.

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‘No other drug does this amount of damage so quickly to your kidneys and bladder’: How party drug is destroying lives

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