Family’s U-turn over tragic tot

THE father of Alfie Evans has called on the family’s army of supporters to give up their protest.

Tom Evans said he intended to “form a relationship, build a bridge and walk across it” with the hospital where their son has been treated.

He asked demonstrators in the so-called “Alfie’s Army” to “return to your everyday lives”. And he praised staff at Liverpool’s Alder Hey Hospital for their “dignity and professionalism”. It was a dramatic change of heart from

Tom after a bitter court fight with medics over

23-month-old Alfie.

Tom 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.”

Tom, 21, and Alfie’s mum

Kate, 20, said they were very grateful for all the support they had received from around the world.

But he told supporters:

“We would now ask you to return to your everyday lives and allow myself, Kate and Alder Hey to form a relationship, build a bridge and walk across it.” He thanked hospital staff for their “dignity and professionalism during what must be an incredibly difficult time for them too”.

Alder Hey had said staff have been targeted with “unprecedented personal abuse” over the case.

Alfie’s parents, who were backed by the Pope, will also drop their fight to take him to Rome for treatment.

They held talks yesterday with Alder Hey chiefs and begged to take Alfie home.

The youngster has already defied predictions by breathing unaided since his ventilator was withdrawn.

Tom said it “encourages me more and more that he will live for ‘x’ amount of months, possibly years”.