The NMC said the action had not been taken sooner as the agency was “awaiting a verdict in the investigation”. “Our regulatory processes are guided by strict legislation that sets out a process that we must follow before we can impose a sanction, such as removing an individual from the register,” they published.
In a note, Andrea Sutcliffe, director of the NMC, wrote that the panel acted “as soon as there was a verdict in the criminal case”.
The thoughts and sympathies of all NMC staff go out to the parents, families and children whose lives have been terribly affected by Lucy Letby's heinous and heartbreaking crimes. Once there was a verdict in the trial, we used our own ability to practice the trial as quickly as possible and we can confirm that an independent panel has today ordered that Ms Letby be struck off the register. This will come into effect in January when Ms Letby will no longer be working as a nurse. In the meantime, she remains subject to a temporary registration hold.
Andrea Sutcliffe, Director of the UK Nursing Council
Remember the case
Letby was sentenced to 14 life sentences in August this year. Between June 2015 and June 2016, she killed seven babies and attempted to kill six others, one of whom was the target of two assassination attempts.
She was arrested and charged in November 2020. Lucy had already been questioned about the crimes twice, in 2018 and 2019, with no action taken at the time.