Lucy Letby gave baby overdose two years before murders

The inquiry later heard how a manager apologised for saying in 2016 that she would be “delighted” to have Letby back on the ward after she had been suspended from nursing duties.

Yvonne Griffiths was deputy ward manager of the neonatal unit in 2015 and 2016.

Letby was removed from clinical duties in July 2016 after consultants expressed concerns that she was harming babies.

But she raised a grievance and in a meeting connected to that process Ms Griffiths said she would welcome Letby back on the ward.

Ms Griffiths also said consultants were “on a mission to remove Letby based on speculation” and described their approach as a “witch hunt”.

Richard Baker KC, who represents some of the families of the babies, asked Ms Griffiths if she was really saying that she would be happy to have someone back on the ward who might be a killer of babies.

She replied: “I know it doesn’t sound wonderful. I didn’t mean it as in delighted and in hindsight, I’m sorry.”

Questioned by Peter Skelton KC, who also represents some of the families of Letby’s victims, Ms Griffiths agreed that a nurse’s first duty is to her patients not her colleagues.

Mr Skelton said to Ms Griffiths: “You should have taken action personally to ensure the safety of patients on your unit.”

She replied: “I accept your conversation. Your critique.”