Parents lose second Alfie appeal case

The parents of a 23-monthold boy at the centre of a lifesupport treatment battle may now ask the Supreme Court to consider their case for a second time.

Tom Evans, 21, and Kate James, 20, from Liverpool, lost a second fight over Alfie Evans in the Court of Appeal yesterday. A lawyer representing the couple had asked appeal judg- es to rule that Alfie should be allowed to travel to a foreign hospital.

Lord Justice Davis, Lady Justice King and Lord Justice Moylan ruled against them after an appeal court hearing in London.

Barrister Paul Diamond said the couple might make a further appeal to the Supreme Court.

The couple have already lost fights in the High Court, Court of Appeal, Supreme Court and European Court of Human Rights.

In February, Mr Justice Hayden ruled doctors at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool could stop treatment against the parents wishes after hearings in the Family Division of the High Court in London and Liverpool. Specialists at Alder Hey said lifesupport should stop and Justice Hayden accepted medical evidence showed further treatment was futile.