An international medical expert panel’s finding that there was no medical evidence to show Lucy Letby murdered neonates under her care has been challenged by lawyers representing the babies’ families.

Ms Letby — considered one of the UK’s most notorious serial killers — is serving 15 whole-life sentences for the murder of seven babies and attempted murder of seven others in the Countess of Chester Hospital’s neonatal unit between June 2015 and June 2016.

However, in February a panel of experts, assembled by retired Canadian neonatologist Dr Shoo Lee, concluded the babies died of natural causes or from poor medical care.

Now, lawyers for the babies’ families say the expert panel’s findings are “flawed” and part of a “slick” media campaign to have Ms Letby’s case sent back to the Court of Appeal, after two previous failed attempts.