Parents of critically ill baby lose another round of life-support treatment fight

The parents of critically ill baby Indi Gregory have lost another legal battle to extend her treatment.

On Thursday, a High Court judge refused to allow Indi’s parents, Dean Gregory and Claire Staniforth, to move her to a hospital in Rome, so they went to Court of Appeal judges to overturn the decision.

However, the two appeal judges dismissed the couple’s appeal bid on Saturday after considering written arguments.

“An appeal would have no chance of success,” Lady Justice King and Lord Justice Peter Jackson said in their written ruling.

“Indeed we have reached the clear view that after reading all the evidence and arguments that the decision was sadly inevitable and right, and that it was reached with the degree of care that is always appropriate in such a serious matter.”

High Court judge Mr Justice Peel had concluded on Thursday that a transfer to Italy would not be in eight-month-old Indi’s best interests.

Speaking to Sky News after the decision, Mr Gregory said he and Ms Staniforth were “disappointed, heartbroken and shocked” at the “bad decision”.

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“We don’t see how it’s in Indi’s best interests to be taken to a hospice or home to potentially pass away when we’ve got this truly beautiful offer from Italy who are willing to help and treat her.

“We’ve got two experts who both agree it’s in her best interests to have these treatments.”

Indi, who was born on February 24, has mitochondrial disease – a genetic condition that saps energy.

Medics say the treatment Indi receives causes pain and is futile, but her parents disagree and want treatment to continue.

The two appeal judges said Mr Justice Peel had given the parents’ request for a move to Italy “careful attention”.

They said his decision was “not wrong or unfair” and concluded that there was “no compelling reason” for an appeal hearing.

Mr Justice Peel had earlier ruled that doctors treating Indi at the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham could lawfully limit treatment.

Indi’s parents had failed to persuade Court of Appeal judges in London and judges at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg to overturn that decision.

Lawyers representing the couple had told Mr Justice Peel how an Italian hospital had now offered to treat Indi and asked to be allowed to move her.

Lawyers argued there had been a “material” change of circumstances since the judge ruled that doctors could limit treatment, and said Indi had a chance of a “longer life”.

Bosses at the Queen’s Medical Centre had disagreed and argued that Indi’s parents’ application should be dismissed.

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