The British government has no role to play in the case of terminally ill baby Charlie Gard, the UK’s Justice Secretary has said. Lord Chancellor David Lidington expressed sympathy with the judges involved in the “heart-wrenching” case, which has seen the 11-month-old’s parents in a protracted legal battle with hospital doctors.
His comments come after two United States congressmen said they would table legislation to give Charlie and his family US resident status in a bid to allow them to travel there for experimental treatment.
Connie Yates, Charlie’s mother, has urged British Prime Minister Theresa May to support their case. The boy’s family are expected to join a demonstration outside Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) later after they vowed the “fight is not over”.
Asked if it was right that judges could overrule the wishes of Charlie’s parents, Mr Lidington told Sky News’ Ridge On Sunday: “It is right that judges interpret the law, independently and dispassionately. “As ministers and as a Government we have no role to play in the Charlie Gard case, as would be the case in any other proceeding in court.”
Mr Lidington added: “I do not envy the judges who are having to take decisions on this. “It must be incredibly pressured – probably emotional, under the judicial professionalism, a really emotional, heart-wrenching case for them to have to decide. “But they are independent, they know their duty is to decide the case on the basis of what they genuinely consider to be in the best interests of Charlie himself.”
Discover more from London Glossy Post
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
