The tragic case of Alfie Evans Father calls for protests to end

Plus The 300-year-old law that led to this & Fraser Nelson on the rights parents should have

ALFIE EVANS’S father urged his family’s supporters to carry on with their lives in a dramatic U-turn last night.

After weeks of ramping up support for his 23-month-old son to be allowed to travel abroad to receive treatment for his undiagnosed brain condition, it appears Tom Evans has had a change of heart. Earlier yesterday, the 21-year-old had called for the Pope to travel to Merseyside to see Alfie’s plight for himself.

But speaking outside Alder Hey hospital in Liverpool, he said: “Our lives have been turned upside down by the intense focus on Alfie and his situation. Our little family, along with Alder Hey, has become the centre of attention for many people around the world and it has meant we have not been able to live our lives as we would like.

“We are very grateful and we appreciate all the support we have received from around the world, including from our Italian and Polish supporters, who have dedicated their time and support to our incredible fight. We would now ask you to return back to your everyday lives and allow myself, Kate and Alder Hey to form a relationship, build a bridge and walk across it.”

Staff at the hospital have been subjected to abuse by supporters of the Evans family, who had been campaigning for Alfie to be released from hospital.

In a statement on behalf of himself, his son, and Alfie’s mother Kate James, he said: “We also wish to thank Alder Hey staff at every level for their dignity and professionalism during what must be an incredibly difficult time for them too. Together we recognise the strains [that] recent events have put upon us all and we now wish for privacy for everyone concerned.

“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. From this point onwards, there will be no more statements issued or interviews given. We hope you will respect this.”

British courts have repeatedly refused to allow the child, who continues to fight for his life after being taken off life support earlier this week, to be transferred to Italy.

The family now want to take their boy home.