After months of fighting, the parents of Charlie Gard have today chosen to end their legal fight to take the 11-month-old to the US for experimental treatment.
The decision was announced this afternoon, to High Court judge Mr Justice Francis.
A legal representative for Connie Yates and Chris Gard said: “This case is now about time. Sadly, time has run out.”
Barrister Grant Armstrong added that the decision was made after Connie and Chris were informed that damage to Charlie’s muscle and tissue was irreversible. This follows a special examination by a US doctor, who was flown into London last week.
“The parents’ worst fears have been confirmed. It is now too late to treat Charlie,” he added.
The news follows a long legal battle between Charlie's family and the experts at Great Ormond Street Hospital, where he has been treated for the past number of months.
The GOSH experts applied to the British courts to withdraw Charlie's life-support, but were challenged by Connie and Chris. The couple were desperate to bring little Charlie to the US, to try out an experimental treatment, and they even managed to crowdfund the £1.3 million needed to bring him.
At every stage, however, the courts ruled in favour of the GOSH experts. Even when Connie and Chris took their fight to Europe, the Court of Human Rights ruled that it would not intervene in the case.
In a heartbreaking statement released this afternoon, on Charlie's official Instagram account, a family friend wrote: "Chris and Connie did everything they possibly could for Charlie.
"They showed love, dignity, tenacity, kindness and strength throughout the most difficult time of their lives.
"They are an example to everyone, not only as parents but as human beings."
The family is in our thoughts at this difficult time.
