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Charlie Gard case: Latest report 'makes sad reading'

PA Charlie GardPA
Results of Charlie's scan were heard in court before his parents had been informed privately

Charlie Gard's parents reacted angrily in court when medical information was revealed about their son which they had not previously been told about.

The High Court was told a scan of the baby's brain made for "sad reading". His mother responded: "We have not even read it" and her husband walked out.

Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) wants to remove Charlie's life support.

Earlier, the judge urged protestors supporting the family not to target the hospital.

The 11-month-old suffers from a rare genetic disorder and underwent a brain scan at the weekend to help settle a medical dispute about whether his treatment should be continued or whether he should be allowed to die with dignity.

On hearing the hospital lawyer's assessment of the scan, Charlie's mother Connie Yates broke down in tears and his father Chris Gard shouted "evil" at the lawyer before walking out of court earlier.

EPA Press and media surround a spokesman for Charlie Gard's familyEPA
The case has been the subject of a lot of media attention

Charlie's parents are fighting for the right to remove their child from GOSH's care. They want instead to take him to the US for experimental treatment, which a neurologist from New York said might give him a 10% chance of improving his health.

The case has attracted a lot of attention around the world and campaigners who want the judge to "let Charlie live" have lined the High Court entrance for the hearings.

Previously, the judge has condemned people who had abused and threatened GOSH medics on social media as a result of Charlie's case.

Mr Justice Francis, who is presiding, warned earlier there were "lots and lots" of other sick children being treated by the hospital whose families might not want to be confronted by campaigners.

GOSH has confirmed it received complaints from family members of other children being treated at the hospital, but would not provide further details.

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Timeline

  • 3 March 2017: Mr Justice Francis starts to analyse the case at a hearing in the family division of the High Court in London
  • 11 April: He says doctors can stop providing life-support treatment
  • 3 May: Charlie's parents ask Court of Appeal judges to consider the case
  • 23 May: Three Court of Appeal judges analyse the case
  • 25 May: The Court of Appeal judges dismiss the couple's appeal
  • 8 June: Charlie's parents lose their fight in the Supreme Court
  • 20 June: Judges in the European Court of Human Rights start to analyse the case, after lawyers representing Charlie's parents make written submissions
  • 27 June: Judges in the European Court of Human Rights refuse to intervene
  • 3 July: The Pope and US President Donald Trump offer to intervene
  • 7 July: Great Ormond Street Hospital applies for a fresh hearing at the High Court
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PA Connie Yates and Chris GardPA
Connie Yates and Chris Gard want Charlie to receive an experimental therapy called nucleoside

Mr Justice Francis will analyse the latest expert evidence at a High Court hearing on Monday and Tuesday.

At a preliminary hearing on Friday, he said he would need to know whether there was "new material" which could make a "difference".

Lawyers representing GOSH said they had "yet to see" any new evidence.

A US doctor who has offered to treat Charlie has attended a meeting with his GOSH care team to decide whether he should travel to America for therapy.

Dr Michio Hirano met doctors earlier this week to examine Charlie and discuss his condition.