He told a Commons adjournment debate: "There was no hard evidence against Letby, nobody saw her do anything untoward."

Trudeau's capitulation sets in motion an adjournment until late March, during which parliament is disbanded while Liberal Party members elect a new leader.

Mr Webb, who has a nine-month-old son, raised the issue in his first adjournment debate as an MP.

His lawyers also said the adjournment would provide him more time to pursue state and federal appellate options for a potential adverse ruling.

Senate Republicans forced hours of debate on unsuccessful attempts to remove her, slowing the pace of legislation as the May 20 adjournment deadline nears.