The parents of critically ill baby Indi Gregory were dealt a devastating blow yesterday as the latest legal bid in their fight for her life failed.
Dean Gregory and Claire Staniforth hoped the Court of Appeal would overturn a block on the tot travelling to Italy for treatment. A High Court judge had put a stop on the transfer earlier in the week after telling doctors they could limit treatment – but yesterday two further judges backed that decision and rejected their appeal. Eight-month-old Indi has incurable mitochondrial disease, which saps energy from the body. Dean and Claire were offered funded treatment at a specialist hospital in Rome, which they hoped could prolong her life. But medics at Nottingham’s Queen’s Medical Centre, where Indi is being cared for, believe it would be kinder to let her die than extend her suffering.
Dean Gregory and Claire Staniforth with their daughter Indi Gregory (PA)Yesterday, the Court of Appeal said the High Court’s decision was “sadly inevitable and right” and there was “no compelling reason” for an appeal hearing. Speaking while awaiting the verdict, Dean, 37, said: “We feel powerless. We keep asking, ‘How can this be happening to us?’ Even if the treatment in Italy makes no difference to her condition, at least we would have tried – it’s a chance, something that any parent would do in an instant.”
Claire, 35, said: “This is the most cruel and inhumane experience I have ever been through. It feels like somebody has cut a big chunk of my heart out.” The couple, of Ilkeston, Derbys, who also have daughter Vienna, six, lost previous legal attempts, including at the European Court of Human Rights, to overturn the decision to limit Indi’s treatment. Bosses at Rome’s Bambino Gesù Paediatric Hospital had reached out to them and were willing to perform surgery and were backed by international experts.
Indi's parents Claire Staniforth and Dean Gregory (Paul David Drabble)One Canadian mitochondrial specialist said the operation could offer Indi “a positive quality of life”. Dean and Claire are being supported by campaign group Christian Concern and sister organisation the Christian Legal Centre. A spokesman for Christian Concern last night said lawyers were considering the next move.
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Connie Yates, who lost a court battle in 2017 to keep 11-month-old son Charlie Gard alive, said: “I really empathise with Dean and Claire. I live with that ‘what if’ every day. I don’t want them to go through that guilt of not being able to try everything.” Christian Legal Centre CEO Andrea Williams said: “It is very concerning that a child can be held against the parents’ wishes when they have alternative treatment available. We need reform.”
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