Charlie Gard: Judge will listen to ‘new or dramatic’ evidence

The parents of Charlie Gard will return to the High Court today to try to overturn a decision to turn off their son’s life support.

Connie Yates and Chris Gard had until Wednesday to submit any new evidence that experimental treatment overseas could improve the 11 month old’s condition.

Charlie suffers from a rare genetic disorder called mitochondrial depletion syndrome which affects the cells’ ability to generate energy.

He is currently on a ventilator at Great Ormond Street hospital where doctors say he cannot breathe, see, hear or cry.

Specialists at the hospital have argued that a trial therapy on offer in the US would not help Charlie as he has irreversible brain damage and he should be allowed to "die with dignity".

The couple, from West London, have already fought and lost legal battles in the High Court, Court of Appeal, Supreme Court and the European Court of Human Rights.

Mr Justice Francis made the original ruling back in April at the High Court that "in the best interests of Charlie" his life support machine should be switched off.

He agreed on Monday, during a fresh hearing, to consider "calmly and fairly" any new evidence that proposed treatment would work.

The judge told Charlie’s parents he "would be the first to welcome a different outcome" but "must apply law".

Speaking ahead of the preliminary hearing earlier this week Ms Yates told Sky News that she hoped the judge would listen to experts.

"There are now seven doctors supporting us who specialise in Charlie’s condition," she said.

"I hope they can see there is more of a chance than previously thought and hope they trust us as parents and trust the other doctors."

Ms Yates told the court a clinician had said there was information suggesting nucleoside therapy had a 10% chance of improving Charlie’s condition.

Lawyers representing Great Ormond Street hospital, and a guardian independently representing Charlie’s interests, said that they were struggling to find any new evidence.

In the middle of the hearing there was anger and frustration from the parents with Mr Gard yelling at the hospital’s barrister saying: "When are you going to start telling the truth?"

Connie Yates also told the judge: "He is our son. Please listen to us."

Mr Justice Francis said he would need to be persuaded that "something new or dramatic has changed".

In perhaps a reference to recent messages of support from the Pope and US President Donald Trump, the judge also said he had to decide "not on the basis of tweets but the basis of evidence".

The decision whether to allow Charlie to receive experimental treatment could be made before the weekend.

(c) Sky News 2017: Charlie Gard: Judge will listen to ‘new or dramatic’ evidence