Dad’s ‘stand down’ plea to Alfie’s army
He asks supporters to end demo at hospital
We ask you to return to everyday life – we need to build a bridge with Alder Hey TOM EVANS ADDRESSING ALFIE’S ARMY OF SUPPORTERS
THE parents of Alfie Evans last night called a truce with medics and asked the little boy’s army of supporters to disband.
Tom Evans and Kate James said it was time for them and Alder Hey Hospital to “build a bridge”.
The couple were talking to health chiefs about taking home their terminally ill son who had been off a ventilator for three days.
A day earlier, Tom, 21, and Kate, 20, failed in a last court bid to take the 23-month-old to Italy for care.
Now the couple are hoping Alfie will spend his final moments in their arms at home, where he spent the first seven months of his life.
Tom spoke to reporters and supporters outside the Liverpool hospital at 6pm yesterday.
He thanked “Alfie’s Army” for their support in recent months.
But he added: “We would now ask you to return to your everyday lives and allow myself, Kate and Alder Hey to form a relationship, build a bridge and walk across it.”
He added: “We also wish to thank Alder Hey staff at every level.
SINGING
“In Alfie’s interests we will work with his treating team on a plan that provides our boy with the dignity and comfort he needs.”
In recent weeks hundreds of supporters have gathered outside the hospital, chanting, singing and sometimes blocking roads as they called for the brain-damaged youngster to be airlifted to Rome.
On Monday a mob of up to 200 people tried to storm the front entrance of Alder Hey in Liverpool. They were stopped by police.
Two days later health bosses revealed staff had experienced “unprecedented personal abuse”.
Alfie has an incurable degenerative brain condition. In February a High Court judge gave Alder Hey permission to cut off life support.
A series of legal bids to overturn the decision failed. But after yet another court case on Monday, his life support system was withdrawn.
Since then Alfie has continued to breathe and his father said he had confounded doctors’ expectations.
Tom added: “I hope to have Alfie home within a day or two.”