Billy Caldwell allowed life-saving cannabis medication

The Home Office have confirmed they are allowing a severely epileptic boy from Co Tyrone to be treated with cannabis oil.

12-year-old Billy Caldwell from Castlederg was rushed to a London hospital on Friday after a batch of the banned drug, used to control his condition, was confiscated from his mother at Heathrow Airport earlier this week.

Charlotte Caldwell and her son were stopped by customs officials on Monday when they returned from Canada, where they had flown to get the medication.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid said: “This morning, I’ve used an exceptional power as Home Secretary to urgently issue a licence to allow Billy Caldwell to be treated with cannabis oil."

In a statement on Saturday afternoon the Home Office added: “This is a very complex situation, but our immediate priority is making sure Billy receives the most effective treatment possible in a safe way.

“We have been in close contact with Billy’s medical team overnight and my decision is based on the advice of senior clinicians who have made clear this is a medical emergency.

“The Policing Minister met with the family on Monday and since then has been working to reach an urgent solution.”

Earlier on Saturday afternoon the MP for West Tyrone said she had received confirmation that Billy Caldwell’s cannabis oil medication was to be returned.

Speaking outside London’s Chelsea and Westminster Hospital on Saturday morning Billy's mum told journalists that her son has suffered two more seizures overnight.

Billy Caldwell was taken to hospital by ambulance on Friday after his epilepsy seizures “intensified”, according to a family statement.

His mother Charlotte Caldwell had said the Home Office would be held accountable if he died.