Charlie Gard hospital calls in police over death threats to staff

Health bosses have called in police after staff at Great Ormond Street Hospital were deluged with violent threats and abuse over the case of baby Charlie Gard.

Thousands of abusive messages, including death threats, have been sent to doctors and nurses at Great Ormond Street children’s hospital in London, managers said last night.

Scotland Yard has been informed and the hospital has warned it will seek the prosecution of anyone suspected of threatening its staff.

The threats come amid the ongoing controversy over the role of Great Ormond Street in the case of baby Charlie, where doctors are seeking permission to turn off the youngster’s life support machine.

Charlie’s parents Chris Gard and Connie Yates want the judge to rule that their 11-month-old son, who suffers from a rare genetic condition and has brain damage, should be allowed to undergo a therapy trial overseen by a specialist in New York.

Mary MacLeod, Chairman of Great Ormond Street Hospital said: “In recent weeks the GOSH community has been subjected to a shocking and disgraceful tide of hostility and disturbance. Staff have received abuse both in the street and online.

“Thousands of abusive messages have been sent to doctors and nurses whose life's work is to care for sick children. Many of these messages are menacing, including death threats. Families have been harassed and discomforted while visiting their children, and we have received complaints of unacceptable behaviour even within the hospital itself.”

She added: “Great Ormond Street Hospital is in close contact with the Metropolitan Police and we will do everything possible to hold to account anybody who involved in this kind of deplorable behaviour.”

Mr Justice Francis is scheduled to analyse the most recent evidence at a trial starting in the Family Division of the High Court on Monday.