Charlie Gard’s parents to consider options as legal battle continues

Charlie Gard’s parents are considering their next steps ahead of the latest High Court hearing in a five-month legal battle over whether the terminally-ill baby should be treated in America.

A judge had been scheduled to analyse evidence at a two-day trial starting at 10am today. Mr Justice Francis had said he aimed to make a decision tomorrow – and had questionedwhetheratwo-dayhearing would be long enough. But 0 Charlie Gard’s latest scan ‘made for sad reading’ the hearing has now been relisted and is scheduled to start at 2pm. No explanation for the scheduling change was given.

On Friday a barrister representing Great Ormond Street Hospital doctors caring for the 11-month-old boy told Chris Gard and Connie Yates that a report on the latest scan made for “sad reading”.

Ms Yates burst into tears when Katie Gollop QC broke the news at a preliminary hearing at the High Court on Friday.

Mr Justice Francis asked Ms Gollop not to reveal details of the report – the judge indicated that Charlie’s parents should be given time to consider it privately.