Charlie Gard's parents lose appeal over life support

Charlie Gard's parents have lost their appeal against a ruling allowing doctors to withdraw their baby son's life support.

Chris Gard and Connie Yates want their nine-month-old, who has a rare genetic condition and brain damage, to undergo a therapy trial in America as their final hope.

Great Ormond Street Hospital experts say the treatment is experimental and will not help.

They believe his life support should be stopped and Charlie be allowed to die with dignity as he receives palliative care.

Last month, a High Court judge supported that view and with the "heaviest of hearts" blocked the trip to the US.

The Court of Appeal has upheld that decision, turning down an appeal by Mr Gard and Ms Yates.

Mr Gard shook his head when the decision was announced and he and his wife left the court to speak to their lawyers.

Mr Justice Francis, who made the initial decision in the High Court, said: "Charlie has reached the stage where artificial ventilation should be withdrawn, that he should be given palliative care only and that he should be allowed to
die peacefully and with dignity.

"Charlie has been served by the most experienced and sophisticated team that our excellent hospitals can offer," he added.

The judge said the case had been reviewed by experts in Spain, who had come to the same conclusion as doctors in Britain.

But lead lawyer for Charlie's parents, Richard Gordon QC, argued: "They wish to exhaust all possible options. They don't want to look back and think 'what if?'

"This court should not stand in the way of their only remaining hope."

The couple's legal team said the state should not interfere with the rights of Charlie's parents to do what they think is right for their son.

"What is really at stake in this case is the state, on a massive scale, intruding in your right to private and family life," said Mr Gordon.

They also argued that not enough weight had been given to Charlie's right to life.