Judge’s ‘inflammatory’ words anger lawyers for Alfie Evans
ALFIE EVANS’S lawyers have hit back at “prejudicial and inflammatory” criticism from a High Court judge.
The Christian Legal Centre (CLC), which has represented Tom Evans and Kate James, Alfie’s parents, since the beginning of April, was criticised by Mr Justice Hayden for the “malign hand” of Pavel Stroilov, a law student who is linked to the CLC.
It comes after the court heard Mr Stroilov had advised Mr Evans to lodge a private prosecution of hospital doctors, allegedly for murder.
However, Andrea Williams, the CLC chief executive, said the organisation did not support the criminal prosecution of doctors involved in 23-monthold Alfie’s care.
In a statement yesterday, she said: “In recent days, in addition to significant support, we have endured some media and judicial criticism. We consider this unfair and detrimental. We reject the prejudicial and inflammatory comments made by Mr Justice Hayden. We also reject the portrayal by the Court of Appeal of our role in this case and the assistance that we have offered to Mr Evans.”
Ms Williams, who said the CLC had acted pro bono for the family, said she believed the family’s lack of legal representation at hearings in February had “major repercussions” for the rest of the case.
She added: “Again, we underline that our driving concern throughout our short involvement in this case has been to contend for little Alfie’s best interests and to serve his parents. We continue to believe that Alfie is not best served by holding him, against his parents’ wishes, in a hospital where he will be allowed to die, when another hospital is willing to offer him ongoing medical care, with minimal risk.
“We entrust Alfie to the kindness of the Lord Jesus Christ, and remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting the gift of life and the freedom of parents.”
On Thursday, Mr Evans pledged to work with Alder Hey children’s hospital in Liverpool to provide Alfie with the “dignity and comfort he needs”.
In a statement on behalf of himself and Ms James, he asked supporters who had gathered outside the hospital 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”.
Police have been posted at the hospital as staff are said to have experienced “unprecedented personal abuse”.