Lucy Letby BBC Panorama Refuting Misleading Insulin Claims

The host provides a detailed scientific rebuttal of the insulin claims made in the BBC Panorama documentary and in the accompanying book by Judith Moritz and Jonathan Coffey. He demonstrates that the Roche Cobas immunoassay used in the case is a screening test — its own manufacturer's labelling states it is not suitable for investigating factitious hypoglycaemia — and that the United Kingdom and Ireland Association of Forensic Toxicologists explicitly requires confirmatory mass spectrometry before any immunoassay result is used in a legal setting. Neither test was carried out. He explains that thirty to sixty percent of neonates experience hypoglycaemia naturally, that the yo-yo glucose pattern attributed to poisoning is consistent with standard bolus treatment errors, and that the third insulin case — an infant with documented congenital hyperinsulinism — was never shown to the jury. He is particularly critical of Judith Moritz for failing to seek comment from any expert sceptical of the prosecution, identifying no sources, and misrepresenting what the international expert panel actually said.

Last updated 2026-07-14

2 min read

Notable extracts

Short verbatim extracts from the video. Each quote is under 80 words and attributed to the speaker. Extracted under fair-dealing for review and news reporting (CDPA 1988 s.30).

Host (Speaker 1)

The label on the test itself says: if exogenous insulin administration is suspected, please inform the laboratory so that the sample can be referred externally for analysis. The correct test was never done. The jury never knew that.

On the immunoassay's own labelling contra its use in the trial

Host (Speaker 1)

The United Kingdom and Ireland Association of Forensic Toxicologists is explicit: a presumptive screening test such as immunoassay must be confirmed by a different, more specific methodology. Use of a second immunoassay to confirm the first is not acceptable, even if it is more specific. None of this is in Judith's book.

On the forensic toxicology standards that were not followed

Host (Speaker 1)

There was a third infant. Documented congenital hyperinsulinism. The court never heard about it. It was briefly on the Thirwall Enquiry website and then removed. I have a copy.

On the undisclosed third insulin case

Lucy Letby BBC Panorama Refuting Misleading Insulin Claims

Last updated 2026-07-14

2 min read

Notable extracts

Short verbatim extracts from the video. Each quote is under 80 words and attributed to the speaker. Extracted under fair-dealing for review and news reporting (CDPA 1988 s.30).

Host (Speaker 1)

The label on the test itself says: if exogenous insulin administration is suspected, please inform the laboratory so that the sample can be referred externally for analysis. The correct test was never done. The jury never knew that.

On the immunoassay's own labelling contra its use in the trial

Host (Speaker 1)

The United Kingdom and Ireland Association of Forensic Toxicologists is explicit: a presumptive screening test such as immunoassay must be confirmed by a different, more specific methodology. Use of a second immunoassay to confirm the first is not acceptable, even if it is more specific. None of this is in Judith's book.

On the forensic toxicology standards that were not followed

Host (Speaker 1)

There was a third infant. Documented congenital hyperinsulinism. The court never heard about it. It was briefly on the Thirwall Enquiry website and then removed. I have a copy.

On the undisclosed third insulin case

Lucy Letby BBC Panorama Refuting Misleading Insulin Claims

Notable extracts

Related on this site

Lucy Letby BBC Panorama Refuting Misleading Insulin Claims

Notable extracts

Related on this site