Death reported of Dr Mark Deakin, who gave evidence at trial and at the Inquiry

Dr Mark Deakin, the consultant paediatrician who gave evidence at Lucy Letby's trial and to the Thirlwall Inquiry under the ciphers Dr A and Dr U, died in hospital on 3 July 2026, aged 53. His death was reported on 10 August. He had been dismissed by Alder Hey Children's Hospital for gross misconduct on 23 June, after an investigation found he had accessed Child N's medical records inappropriately, including after Letby's conviction. No cause of death has been made public. He could not be named until 2 September 2026, when Lord Justice Singh discharged the lifetime anonymity order on an application by Associated Newspapers, saying its rationale was 'no longer relevant' now that he was no longer alive. An opening hearing into his death is listed for 23 September 2026 at Cheshire Coroner's Court in Warrington. None of this bears on the safety of the convictions.