Ministers indicate support for statutory inquiry into Lucy Letby killings

Ministers initially ignored calls by victims' families for inquiry that would be able to force witnesses to give evidence

Relatives of Lucy Letby's victims have welcomed the clearest indication yet that ministers will reverse their decision not to order a full statutory inquiry into how the former neonatal nurse was able to murder seven babies and attempt to murder six more.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said it was ready to bow to the wishes of the victims' families for an inquiry that could compel witnesses to give evidence, while the prime minister, Rishi Sunak, said he believed the process should be judge-led.