The formal probe into Lucy Letby's killings has been made right into a statutory inquiry, following calls for from bereaved dad and mom.

The transfer, introduced by the Government tonight, means the inquiry may have enforceable authorized powers to compel witnesses to present proof underneath oath.

Announcing the choice, Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay stated: "The crimes committed by Lucy Letby are truly harrowing, and my thoughts remain with the families of her victims".

"Following her conviction, we announced an inquiry and said the nature of this inquiry would be shaped by the families.

"Having now mentioned this with the households, we'll launch a full statutory inquiry giving it the authorized powers to compel witnesses to present proof.

"This statutory public inquiry will aim to give the families the answers they need and ensure lessons are learned."

Ministers, together with the Health Secretary and Rishi Sunak, initially rejected requires a statutory inquiry, believing households of Lucy Letby's victims would respect the probe concluding extra shortly.

However kin quickly got here out to demand a radical investigation be prioritised over a speedy one.

Last Friday, a lawyer representing two of the households stated: "It is crucial that the judge and the inquiry have the powers to compel witnesses to give evidence under oath, and to force disclosure of documents".

"For that to happen, the inquiry needs to be put on a statutory basis. Otherwise, it will lack legal teeth and is likely to be ineffective.”

Steve Barclay has said that when he first announced an inquiry, he was "very clear we might form that inquiry across the needs of the households".

"My precedence is to make sure that the households get the solutions they deserve, that persons are held to account the place they should b, that is what I've mentioned with the households and we're reflecting their needs".

Letby, 33, was sentenced to 14 whole-life orders a week ago, and will die in prison after being convicted of sven babies' murders and six attempted murders.

She is the most prolific child serial killer in modern British history, and her refusal to attend her sentencing hearing has also launched a move by the government to ensure criminals in future must attend and hear their fate.

This morning Rishi Sunak announced judges will get extra powers to order criminals to face their victims' families, and could face extra time on their sentences if they refuse.

Mr Sunak met with the mother of Olivia Pratt-Korbel, Cheryl, this morning, saying it is "unacceptable" that some criminals are refusing to face their victims.

Ms Korbel said she hoped Olivia was "happy with what we have completed".

"Because on the finish of the day, it’s in her identify, it’s why we’ve completed this. And not solely in her identify, it’s for each different household on the market that has gone by means of it.

“We just hope it gets changed so no-one else has to go through it."

Mr Sunak said: “It is unacceptable that some of the country’s most horrendous criminals have refused to face their victims in court. They cannot and should not be allowed to take the coward’s way out.

“That’s why we are giving judges the power to order vile offenders to attend their sentencing hearings, with those who refuse facing being forced into the dock or spending longer behind bars.”