Alfie Evans 'has not been suffering' since life support ended, father says

Alfie Evans 'has not been suffering' since life support ended, father says Tom Evans says his son is doing "amazing" and he still hopes to be able to take the terminally ill toddler to Italy for treatment.

Image: Alfie Evans' parents have been told they cannot take the seriously ill toddler to Italy for treatment

The father of Alfie Evans says his son has proven doctors wrong and has not been suffering in the 36 hours since his life support ended.

Tom Evans and his partner Kate James will later challenge a High Court ruling that they cannot take their 23-month-old son to Italy for treatment.

Appearing on ITV's This Morning programme, Mr Evans said: "He's doing as well as he can. He's fighting. He's still not suffering... no sign of pain.

"He's just sustained his life like any other child would for the last 36 hours now. It's totally unexpected."

Mr Evans said he believed he was "getting closer" to bringing Alfie home but has not given up hope on being able to take him to Italy for treatment.


:: Timeline: The fight to keep Alfie Evans alive

Image: Tom Evans and Kate James leave the High Court

"We would be happy with that, but we would be more blessed to get him to Italy where he needs the treatment," Mr Evans added.

"At the moment he's proved that he's still fighting and he's proved all the doctors wrong and all the courts wrong.

"We were told he wouldn't last more than five minutes and now here we are, 36 hours down the line, and he's doing absolutely amazing.

"Alfie just needs to be out as soon as possible while he's still fighting and still breathing. Italy's the best option for him now.

"I'm so proud of Alfie and this is why I'm so devoted to him."

Alfie's case is due to be heard by three Court of Appeal judges at the Royal Courts of Justice in London on Wednesday afternoon.

It comes after a High Court judge ruled that his parents could take their son home from Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool, but not abroad.

The youngster has a rare degenerative neurological condition and is considered to be in a semi-vegetative state.

Poland's President Andrzej Duda is the latest high-profile figure to voice support for Alfie after the case attracted international attention.

Image: Alfie cuddling his mother Kate James at Alder Hey Hospital

Mr Duda tweeted: "Alfie Evans must be saved! His brave little body has proved again that the miracle of life can be stronger than death.

"Perhaps all that's needed is some good will on the part of decision makers. Alfie, we pray for you and your recovery!"

Mr Justice Hayden, speaking after an emergency High Court hearing in Manchester on Tuesday, called Alfie a "warrior" but said the case had reached its "final chapter".

The judge decided that Alfie's parents could not have medical experts in Italy examine their son as they had wished.

Instead, he asked Alder Hey hospital to consider permitting them to take their son home.

Mr Justice Hayden advised the couple to "explore" other options, such as removing Alfie from intensive care either to a ward, a hospice or his home.

Image: This image was posted by Alfie's father Tom Evans on Monday

But the judge rejected claims by Alfie's father that his son was "significantly better" than first thought.

"The brain cannot regenerate itself and there is virtually nothing of his brain left," he added.

Mr Justice Hayden also criticised the "malign hand" of one of the family's advisers, law student Pavel Stroilov.

The court heard Mr Stroilov had been party to Mr Evans lodging a private prosecution of Alder Hey doctors, allegedly for murder.

The judge said, in fact, the hospital had provided "world class" care for the child.

:: Alfie's father asks Pope to help 'save our son' in Vatican meeting

Image: Thomas Evans with the Pope. Pic: Facebook

Mr Evans and Ms James, who are from Liverpool, have said doctors in Rome are willing to treat Alfie. Italy granted the boy Italian citizenship, and the Pope has intervened in the case.

A spokeswoman for the Christian Legal Centre, which is assisting Mr Evans and Ms James, said an air ambulance was "waiting outside Alder Hey Hospital ready to take Alfie to hospital in Italy".

'Alfie's been breathing for nine hours now'

Alfie, who was born on 9 May 2016, suffered seizures and was taken to hospital in December that year.

He is currently being hydrated and given oxygen to stop him becoming distressed.