Lucy Letby's father wanted 'instant dismissal' of doctors who raised concerns, inquiry hears

Lucy Letby's father demanded the "instant dismissal" of two consultants who suspected his daughter of intentionally harming infants on a neonatal unit, an inquiry has heard.

John Letby reportedly "exerted pressure" on staff at the Countess of Chester Hospital through phone calls, one of which was to the then HR director.

They told the Thirlwall Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Letby's crimes that this was the only time she had discussed an employment matter with a staff member's relative.

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Mr Letby's calls to Sue Hodkinson followed a meeting in December 2016 where he and his wife told hospital executives their daughter "had been to hell and back" after being moved from the unit five months prior due to concerns raised by consultants. The inquiry heard accusations that some doctors referred to Letby as "angel of death" and "murderer on the unit" and that she believed Dr Stephen Brearey and Dr Ravi Jayaram led a campaign against her.

On Tuesday, evidence was presented that Mr Letby had told hospital bosses: "The behaviour of those two people, they should be instantly dismissed."

He also wanted to know what “severity of actions” would take place against the two doctors after medical director Ian Harvey was noted to say it was “inappropriate behaviour”.

Mr Letby also made numerous phone calls to occupational health nurse Kathryn de Beger, who had been assigned to support Letby following her redeployment.

Giving evidence, Ms Hodkinson said: “She described to me how Mr Letby was getting agitated on the phone with her, that it was becoming increasingly difficult to manage and she felt very uncomfortable.

"I felt I needed to support her through this