Furious because 'cowardly' doctors and nurses who worked with baby killer Lucy Letby were allowed to keep their names secret
DOCTORS and nurses who worked with baby killer Lucy Letby should be stripped of their anonymity in the public inquiry into her crimes, experts say.
The doctors are allowed to keep their names confidential under a legal order the nurses murder case.
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But they have been branded cowardly amid calls to lift the veil of secrecy at the upcoming Thirlwall inquiry.
Leading barrister Geoffrey Robertson KC told the Sun on Sunday that the lifetime anonymity orders betrayed the public who deserved to know how Letby was allowed to kill in the Countess of Chester hospital.
He said: “Mainly professionals doctors and nurses, just like police officers and politicians, must be held accountable. They cannot hide behind anonymity.
“This is cowardly and against the public interest.
“Open justice is the principle that makes us British Courts the best in the world and judges must be more vigilant in protecting them.”
Former Justice Minister Robert Buckland MP supported the use of anonymity orders to protect the vulnerable, but also stressed: “The principle of open justice must be at the heart of the proceedings and that gate must be jealously guarded.”
Investigative documents show it is committed to enforcing the orders, which are rarely given to adult witnesses in court cases.
The doctors and nurses said they were needed to spare them the stress of giving evidence social media and press research.
Letby, found guilty of seven murders and six attempted murders, is serving a life sentence.
Her appeal against her sentence was rejected this week.