Charlie Gard's doctors can stop providing life support, judges rule

A couple who want to take their sick baby son to the US for treatment could take their battle to the Supreme Court after losing a fight in the Court of Appeal.

Chris Gard and Connie Yates want nine-month-old Charlie Gard, who suffers from a rare genetic condition and has brain damage, to undergo a therapy trial.

Specialists at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, where Charlie is being cared for, say therapy proposed by a doctor in America is experimental and will not help.

They say life support treatment should stop and Court of Appeal judges have agreed.

Last month High Court judge Mr Justice Francis said life support treatment should end and Charlie should be allowed to die with dignity.

Charlie's parents, who are in their 30s and come from Bedfont, west London, had asked three Court of Appeal judges to overturn Mr Justice Francis's decision.

But Lord Justice McFarlane, Lady Justice King and Lord Justice Sales, who analysed evidence at a Court of Appeal hearing in London on Tuesday, have upheld the ruling.

Lawyers representing the couple told appeal court judges that they would like the Supreme Court to consider the case.

Bosses at Great Ormond Street say doctors will continue providing life support treatment to Charlie over the next few days while applications are made.