Alfie can’t go to Italy
Appeal judges back decision to block transfer
THE parents of Alfie Evans lost another legal battle yesterday over their bid to take him to Italy.
A High Court judge ruled earlier this week the seriously ill 23-month-old may be allowed to go home but refused to let him be flown to Rome for treatment there.
Three Court of Appeal judges yesterday backed the decision.
The blow to dad Tom Evans, 21, and mum Kate James, 20, came as Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool said staff had suffered abuse because of Alfie’s case.
The judges also heard that Tom threatened to start private prosecutions against doctors for “conspiracy for murder”.
Paul Diamond, representing Tom, admitted there were “tensions” but denied there was “hostility” towards the NHS.
But Lord Justice McFarlane said: “Your client purported to take out a private prosecution to have three named doctors charged with the criminal offence of conspiracy to murder.
“Those summonses were served on the doctors and I hear you say that there is no hostility to the NHS.
“That simply doesn’t square with there being no hostility to the NHS.”
Two people believed to be German air ambulance staff were escorted from Alder Hey yesterday after speaking to members of the Evans family.
Mr Diamond told the appeal court judges: “There is a military air ambulance on standby at the request of the Pope.”
Alfie has a degenerative brain
condition and doctors say further treatment is futile. His life support was withdrawn on Monday but the youngster, who is unconscious, has continued to breathe.
Jason Coppel QC, representing Kate, said she had told him: “Alfie is struggling and needs immediate intervention.”
The bosses of Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust claimed medics, patients and parents have been abused.
They said: “Staff have received in person, via phone, email and social media a barrage of highly abusive and threatening language and behaviour that has shocked us all.
“Patients and visitors have also reported abuse.”
On Monday, up to 200 supporters of Alfie’s family tried to storm Alder Hey’s entrance.
Last night, Tom failed to show up for a second scheduled press conference. A family spokesman said: “He has fallen asleep next to his little boy. Don’t believe what you read on social media, Alfie is doing great.”