Alfie Evans update: Judge rules OUT flying toddler to Italy
EXPRESS Alfie Evans will not fly to Italy for treatment
Mr Justice Hayden also appeared to rule out his family's wishes to take the 23-month-old to Italy for treatment. Alfie has been at the centre of a life-or-death treatment battle, with his parents, Tom Evans and Kate James, trying to stop his doctors at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool from withdrawing life support in a sometimes acrimonious six-month dispute which has seen a series of court battles. Last night life-support was withdrawn but Alfie, who has a degenerative neurological condition destroying his brain, has shocked medics by continuing to breathe unaided for nearly 24 hours with an air ambulance on stand by to fly the child to Italy. But in a blow to Alfie’s parents, Mr Justice Hayden, speaking to lawyers representing Alfie's parents and Alder Hey Hospital, suggested he has ruled out further treatment in Italy or Germany.
One of the things Tom Evans said, if it can't be Italy or Munich, which it cannot be, was whether they could take Alfie home Mr Justice Hayden
Mr Justice Hayden said: "If there were a more constructive attitude from the family might other options become possible, away from Alder Hey? "I'm not suggesting this, I don't want it to be taken as an indication from me. "One of the things Tom Evans said, if it can't be Italy or Munich, which it cannot be, was whether they could take Alfie home." The court then adjourned for an Alder Hey consultant in the courtroom to consider the matter. A "last-ditch appeal" by the Italian ambassador and the Pope, to grant Alfie citizenship of Italy to take him for treatment at a hospital in Rome, failed on Monday.
Alfie Evans in pictures: Heartbreaking photos of Alfie in hospital Tue, April 24, 2018 Alfie has a degenerative neurological condition which has not been definitively diagnosed after being born in a "semi-vegetative" state. Play slideshow Facebook 1 of 12 Alfie Evans pictured in hospital with his mother
A late night court hearing heard by telephone by Mr Justice Hayden and lawyers for both sides confirmed his earlier decision permitting life-support, helping Alfie to breathe, to be withdrawn. Earlier on Tuesday Mr Evans claimed medics had been "gobsmacked" as his son continued to breathe for himself after medical intervention was withdrawn at around 9.17pm on Monday. But Mr Justice Hayden cut down Paul Diamond, representing the parents, as he began the family's appeal hearing. Mr Diamond said: "This really is an appeal, in our submission for common humanity and common sense..." The judge interjected: "I don't think it's helpful to use emotive terms. As a barrister confine yourself to the law."