Charlie Gard's parents back doctors at Great Ormond Street after death threats
The parents of Charlie Gard have condemned "disgraceful" death threats made towards doctors at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) who are treating their critically-ill son.
It comes after the hospital chairman Mary McLeod said they were in contact with police over a "shocking" barrage of abuse aimed at staff both in person and online.
Parents visiting their seriously unwell children have also been harassed, including on the grounds of the hospital itself, she said.
She has condemned those who have carried out the abuse, saying that though emotions over the case are running high it can be "no excuse" for aggression towards staff and visitors.
Charlie's mother said she and her partner Chris Gard had also received abuse over the case in a response to the hospital's statement.
"Despite conflicting issues" between the couple and the hospital, she said they had the "utmost respect for all the staff" at GOSH.
"Like them we have been shocked by some of the public response to this case and agree with them that it is disgraceful that doctors have received death threats," she said in a statement.
"We do not and have not ever condoned any threatening or abusive remarks towards any staff member at gosh.We too have suffered from the most hurtful comments from the public and GOSH is aware of this too."
Charlie suffers from a rare genetic condition and has brain damage, and is currently the subject of an intense legal battle over his treatment.
His parents, Connie Yates and Chris Gard, want to take the 11-month-old abroad for experimental treatment.
Doctors at GOSH have said there is no realistic prospect of improvement and Charlie should be allowed to die with dignity.
Charlie's parents have accused hospital staff of overstating the severity of his condition and have frequently clashed with lawyers and the judge during a hearing at the High Court.
The family's plight has drawn many supporters who have staged noisy protests outside the court.
In a lengthy statement, Ms MacLeod acknowledged that Charlie's case was "heartbreaking" and that "emotions run high" over his future.
But she said that could not excuse threats towards medical staff who provide care for thousands of seriously ill children each year.
"Great Ormond Street Hospital is in close contact with the Metropolitan Police and we will do everything possible to hold to account anybody involved in this kind of deplorable behaviour," she said.
It had previously emerged at the current court hearing that medical staff treating Charlie had received threats, but today's statement shows the extent of the abuse.Charlie's parents have publicly condemned “abhorrent” intimidation towards against judges and the doctors involved in the case.
Keir Starmer, the constituency MP for GOSH, also spoke out today to say that abuse towards its staff must end.
He said: "Charlie Gard's case is truly tragic and the whole nation sympathises with his parents. It is understandable that people feel very strongly about the case.
"But the abuse of staff at Great Ormond Street Hospital outside the hospital and online is totally unacceptable. There is no place for this abuse and it has to stop."