The inquiry into Lucy Letby’s crimes is to be made statutory, meaning witnesses can be forced to give evidence.

Steve Barclay, the Health Secretary, announced the decision after meeting families in Chester who had been bereaved as a result of the killings.

A chairman of the public inquiry is expected to be announced in the coming days, with terms of reference yet to be set out.

When the Government first announced the inquiry, it said it would be non-statutory, meaning it cannot compel witnesses to attend, or force evidence to be handed over.

Ministers said then that a non-statutory inquiry was often much quicker, enabling the truth to be uncovered sooner.

But families have repeatedly called for it to be put on a statutory footing, amid concern that NHS managers accused of failing to listen to whistleblowers may be able to evade questioning.