Charlie Gard: Parents now have to face reality that it is in baby's best interests to die, says High Court judge

It is now in Charlie Gard's best interests to die, the judge in his High Court trial has said.

The decision came after the sick baby's parents dropped their legal challenge over how Charlie will be treated, in response to new medical opinions. The judge had aimed to give his decision imminently, but proceedings were brought to a close and Charlie will now die in the care of Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Mr Justice Francis said that reports of differences between himself and the parents were based on misunderstandings. He said that he paid tributes to the parents, who had gone through an ordeal that nobody else could understand.

Charlie's parents' statement suggested that they are now reconciled with the fact that their child will now die, and that they would discuss with the hospital about the best way to move forward.

"We are struggling to find any comfort or peace with all this, but one thing that does give us the slightest bit of comfort, is that we truly believe that Charlie may have been too special for this cruel world," mother Connie Yates said.

"We are now going to spend our last precious moments with our son Charlie, who unfortunately won't make his first birthday in just under two weeks' time, and we would ask that our privacy is respected at this very difficult time."

Charlie's parents have said they will discuss the arrangements for his care with Great Ormond Street.