Lucy Letby (Credit: CPS)

Ms Letby, a former nurse at the Countess of Chester Hospital, is currently serving 15 whole-life prison terms following her convictions at Manchester Crown Court in August 2023 and July 2024.

Her trials totalled almost 10 months and followed a complex police investigation lasting several years.

Her murders drew enormous international attention – including from amateur sleuths who maintain Letby is innocent.

Barrister Mark McDonald, now representing her, has made an application to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) on her behalf.

A spokesperson for the CCRC said: “We are aware that there has been a great deal of speculation and commentary surrounding Lucy Letby’s case, much of it from parties with only a partial view of the evidence.

“We ask that everyone remembers the families affected by events at the Countess of Chester Hospital between June 2015 and June 2016.

“We have received a preliminary application in relation to Ms Letby’s case, and work has begun to assess the application. We anticipate further submissions being made to us.”

They added: “It is not for the CCRC to determine innocence or guilt in a case, that’s a matter for the courts.

“It is for the CCRC to find, investigate and if appropriate, refer potential miscarriages of justice to the appellate courts when new evidence or new argument means there is a real possibility that a conviction will not be upheld, or a sentence reduced.

“At this stage it is not possible to determine how long it will take to review this application. A significant volume of complicated evidence was presented to the court in Ms Letby’s trials.

“The CCRC is independent. We do not work for the government, courts, police, the prosecution or for anyone applying for a review of their case. This helps us investigate alleged miscarriages of justice impartially.”