Legal representatives of killer nurse Lucy Letby were handed millions to cover her defence in court, new figures have reveal.

Earlier this year, Letby, 33, was found guilty of the murder and attempted murder of seven babies following a nearly year-long trial at Manchester Crown Court and sentenced to a whole-life jail term.

Her lawyers and barristers were given legal aid during this time by the Legal Aid Agency, a non-departmental Government organisation that allocates funding for people fighting civil and criminal charges.

New documents have revealed the aid provided to the convicted killer’s representatives amounted to £1.5 million, and those costs could still grow.

The revelation has prompted backlash, but legal experts have voiced their surprise that the costs were “so low” given the gravity of the case.

READ MORE: Countess of Chester Hospital where Lucy Letby worked faces manslaughter probe

The Legal Aid Agency confirmed following a Freedom of Information request submitted by The Sun that it had paid Letby’s legal representatives £1,505,142.42 during her trial.

Responding to the request, the organisation added it is yet to make the final payments, meaning the total could increase.

The LAA said: “The most up-to-date figure for the total quantity of Legal Aid given to the representatives of Lucy Letby is £1,505,142.42.

“However, given how recently the trial has concluded, the LAA has not yet made final payments in this case.”

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Legal Aid broke down the sum given for Letby’s legal representation, revealing it provided barristers £777,527.83 and solicitors £727,614.59.

Shocked Tory MP Pauline Latham told The Sun the costs were “staggering” and slammed Letby for putting the families of her victims “through the ordeal of a trial”.

But legal experts are surprised the total costs were comparatively “low” given the length and gravity of her case.

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Andrew Keough, a barrister who runs the X account CrimeLine, stressed that Letby herself received none of this money.

He said: “Of course, Lucy Letby herself received £0. My only surprise is that the total costs are so low given the complexity, gravity and length of the trial.”

Express.co.uk has contacted the Ministry of Justice for comment.

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