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Alfie Evans: Police called as hundreds stage protest outside hospital

Police were called last night as hundreds of protesters stood outside the children's hospital where terminally-ill Archie Evans is staying.

His father has argued he should be able to take his 23-month-old son home as he approaches death.

The demonstration came a day after a High Court judge expressed his sympathy for the parents of child, who is at the centre of a life-support treatment battle.

Mr Justice Hayden described what had happened to Alfie as "profoundly unfair" as he endorsed an end-of-life care plan drawn up by specialists.

Merseyside Police said on Thursday night that they were at the protest outside Alder Hey Children's Hospital and said access to the hospital was being disrupted.

His parents, who are both in their 20s and from Liverpool, have vowed to fight the decision to turn the child's life support off, and have kept their thousands of Facebook supporters informed.

Kate James his mother, wrote yesterday: "How sad is it that someone can tell you where and when your child is going to die? No proper care plan and no respect for us as a family!

"No privacy or nothing! I know the date and time my child is going to die and we haven’t even had time as a family to come to terms with this. Now we count away each hour which feel like minutes . Thank you everyone for all your support through out this and for your kind messages ."

Alfie Evans in hospital - Credit: Kate Evans
Alfie Evans in hospital Credit: Kate Evans

His father, Thomas Evans, said they had been "failed disgracefully" by the system, writing: "We are in bits, distraught, in pain. He looks into our eyes every day, he responds to us every day. Alfie James Evans we love you so, so, so much."

Footage posted online showed Alfie's parents, Tom Evans and Kate James, receiving huge applause as they joined the significant crowd of protesters who were chanting Alfie's name, while a banner emblazoned with "Alfie's Army" could also be seen in footage.

 Alfie Evans' dad Tom speaks to the huge crowd outside Alder Hey hospital - Credit:  Iain Watts/Mercury Press
Alfie Evans' dad Tom speaks to the huge crowd outside Alder Hey hospital Credit: Iain Watts/Mercury Press

A video posted on Facebook showed Alfie's father filming his son in the hospital and holding a letter which he said states he has the right to leave with his child.

The words "Christian Legal Centre" can be seen at the top of the letter.

"I have documentation that says I have the right to take my son out of the hospital, I have the right to take my son out of this hospital," he says in the video.

The letter from the Christian Legal Centre stating Mr Evans is allowed to take his child
The letter from the Christian Legal Centre stating Mr Evans is allowed to take his child

Mr Evans said the documentation says he is allowed to leave legally, and that he has removed the duty of care and given it to their air ambulance company.

"Alder Hey have phoned the police to stop me from taking my son out of the hospital. This is my son. Look at my healthy, healthy young boy who is undiagnosed, who is certainly not dying," he said.

During the nearly two-and-a-half minute clip he also encouraged people to come to the hospital to stand outside and "tell them to release our son" in a "quiet protest".

He added: "They have phoned the police over a child... Look how innocent the boy is, look at him, he lies there eagerly waiting for his trip home.

"How can this come to this?"