You’re lying!
Charlie Gard parents slam hospital lawyers
CHARLIE Gard’s parents accused hospital lawyers of “lying” as they begged a High Court judge to give their terminally ill son a chance at life yesterday.
Emotions were running high as dad Chris Gard and mum Connie Yates pleaded for one last shot at saving the 11-month-old, who is on life support at Great Ormond Street.
The distraught couple are clinging to the hope that experimental treatment, in the US or Italy, may boost Charlie’s chances of survival from a rare genetic disease by 10%.
Connie, 31, who was in tears throughout the hearing, told the judge: “If that was your son, you would take that chance.”
But doctors at the world-renowned London children’s hospital say it is time to end Charlie’s suffering and allow him to die with dignity.
They argue that any further treatment would only prolong any pain for him. A series of courts have ruled in their favour.
As the afternoon became increasingly fraught, postman Chris, 32, shouted at the hospital legal team: “When are you going to start telling the truth?” He then told judge Mr Justice Francis: “They are lying to you.”
And an emotional Connie responded to the hospital lawyers’ arguments by saying: “It’s really hard to sit here listening to this.
“It’s not the truth, I’m telling you. I’m really sorry, can you listen to me?
“They said we could go to America as long as we had the money. Now they’re saying we can’t.
“It’s not fair, it’s not fair. Ten per cent – if that was your son, you would take that chance. He’s our son. Please listen to us.”
The couple have now been given 48 hours to put together new evidence of treatment that could help their son in the hope of having Charlie’s case reopened.
They want to move Charlie out of Great Ormond Street and their plight has received backing from US President Donald Trump and the Pope. Katie Gollop QC, acting for the hospital, said medics had looked for an alternative UK unit to take Charlie but none were willing.
But family lawyers revealed a hospital in Rome wanted to take Charlie in and use “cutting edge genetic science” to treat him.
However, during two hours of legal argument, there were questions over whether the alleged fresh evidence was anything new. Lawyers for the London hospital and a guardian appointed to independently represent the youngster’s interests told the judge they were struggling to find any new evidence. They said the “new research” had been available for the judge’s consideration in April and was purely lab-based, relating to patients with muscle problems only – not brain damage. Great Ormond Street also describes the proposed experimental therapies as “unjustified” and not a cure.
Mr Justice Francis will go through the new evidence at a hearing on Thursday but said he would not make a final decision then.
In April, the same judge ruled that treatment could be withdrawn from Charlie after arguments from both sides.
His decision has been upheld by the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court and the European Court of Human Rights.
Referring to the huge public backing Connie and Chris have received, the judge said yesterday he must decide the case “on evidence, not tweets”, adding: “There is not a person alive who would not want to save Charlie. If there is new evidence I will hear it.
“If you bring new evidence to me and I consider that evidence changes the situation... I will be the first to welcome that outcome.”
Experts say Charlie, who appeared healthy when born but fell ill aged just eight weeks, has irreversible brain damage, a claim his parents, of Bedfont, West London, do not accept.
They have fought a campaign to keep him alive, raising more than £1million to pay for treatment they hope will make a difference.