Doctors can lawfully stop providing life-support treatment to 12-year-old boy Archie Battersbee, who is in a comatose state with severe brain damage, appeal judges have ruled.

Three Court of Appeal judges delivered a ruling about what moves are in the best interests of Archie, who suffered “catastrophic” brain damage three months ago.

Sir Andrew McFarlane, Lady Justice King and Lord Justice Peter Jackson had considered arguments at a hearing at the Court of Appeal in London last week.

Archie’s parents, Hollie Dance and Paul Battersbee, had mounted an appeal bid after a High Court judge ruled doctors could lawfully stop treatment.

Ms Dance said she had seen indications Archie, who is attached to a ventilator, had twice tried to breathe for himself in the last few days.

Archie’s mother ‘disgusted’ at ruling

Archie’s parents are being supported by the campaign organisation Christian Legal Centre.

Andrea Williams, its chief executive, said outside the court: “I am very disappointed that they have not adjourned this decision given that Mr Battersbee has been taken to hospital.

“I’ve been in touch with Archie’s mother – she is disgusted.”

A ‘tragedy of immeasurable dimensions’

Earlier this month a High Court judge ruled doctors could lawfully stop providing life-support treatment.

Mr Justice Hayden described what had happened to Archie as a “tragedy of immeasurable dimensions”.

He said medical evidence was “compelling and unanimous” and painted a “bleak” picture.

The judge said evidence showed that Archie had suffered a “significant injury” to “multiple areas” of his brain and had not “regained awareness at any time”.

Read more:
High Court rules Archie is dead

Archie has been at the centre of a legal dispute after he was seriously injured in an incident at his home in Essex in April.

His mother, Ms Dance, said she found him unconscious with a ligature over his head on 7 April and thinks he might have been taking part in an online challenge. He has not regained consciousness.

Related posts:

Police issue CCTV in hunt for man whose wife was found murdered UK records 30,597 new cases and 201 deaths – with over 8,000 COVID patients in hospital Police on scene as Animal Rebellion protesters climb Home Office building with COP26 message Police confirm case of spiking by injection in Hull, with second incident being investigated ‘Shine bright up there’: Vigil for teenager Bobbi-Anne McLeod – as police rule out ‘known link’ with murder suspect Welsh rugby teams on tour in South Africa race to return to UK as variant sparks flight suspensions NHS doctor who challenged Javid still refusing to have vaccine as health worker jabs mandate reconsidered Madeleine McCann suspect claims it would have been ‘absurd’ for him to have abducted her Foreign secretary who addressed Commons today says she has tested positive for COVID Queen hosts more engagements less than two weeks after testing positive for COVID Racer defends Isle of Man TT after five deaths lead to calls for ban Skeleton found next to cowboy boots identified – case now thought to be possible homicide