Cheshire Police statement following the publication of the Thirlwall Inquiry report

The Thirlwall Inquiry Report has been published following a thorough process spanning three years.

We will now carefully review the contents of the report and fully consider any relevant recommendations made by Lady Justice Thirlwall in light of our ongoing investigations.

In October 2023 following the lengthy trial and subsequent conviction of Lucy Letby, Cheshire Constabulary launched Operation Duet – an investigation into corporate manslaughter at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

This focuses on senior leadership and decision-making to determine whether any criminality has taken place concerning the response to the increased levels of fatalities.

In March 2025 the scope of the investigation widened to also include gross negligence manslaughter.

This is a separate offence to corporate manslaughter and focuses on the grossly negligent action or inaction of individuals.

On Monday 30th June 2025 three individuals, who were part of the senior leadership team at the Countess of Chester Hospital in 2015-2016, were arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter. All three were subsequently bailed pending further enquiries – they remain on bail.

On Wednesday 22nd April 2026 officers from Cheshire Constabulary executed a search warrant at a property in connection with Operation Duet. An individual was arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice. They were subsequently bailed pending further enquiries – they remain on bail.

Both the corporate manslaughter and gross negligence manslaughter elements of the investigation are continuing and there are no set timescales for these.

Our thoughts remain with the families of the babies – who have always been at the heart of this case.