Alfie Evans latest: Severely ill baby's parents call for calm after 'highly abusive' messages sent to hospital staff

The couple praised the 'dignity and professionalism' of Alder Hey staff
Tom Evans speaks to the media outside Liverpool's Alder Hey Children's Hospital
PA Wire/PA Images
Martin Coulter26 April 2018

The parents of severely ill toddler Alfie Evans have called for calm after hospital staff said they had suffered "unprecedented personal abuse".

Police have vowed to tackle online threats against those treating the seriously ill boy , warning any "malicious communications" would be acted on.

Speaking outside Alder Hey, Alfie's father Tom Evans made a statement on behalf of himself and Alfie's mother Kate James.

"Our lives have been turned upside down by the intense focus on Alfie and his situation.

"Our little family along with Alder Hey has become the centre of attention for many people around the world and it has meant we have not been able to live our lives as we would like.

"We are very grateful and we appreciate all the support we have received from around the world, including from our Italian and Polish supporters, who have dedicated their time and support to our incredible fight.

Alfie Evans protesters try to storm hospital 23/04/2018

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"We would now ask you to return back to your everyday lives and allow myself, Kate and Alder Hey to form a relationship, build a bridge and walk across it.

"We also wish to thank Alder Hey staff at every level for their dignity and professionalism during what must be an incredibly difficult time for them too.

Experts say Alfie's brain has been 'eroded'
Alfies Army Official

"Together we recognise the strains (that) recent events have put upon us all and we now wish for privacy for everyone concerned.

"In Alfie's interests we will work with his treating team on a plan that provides our boy with the dignity and comfort he needs.

Alfie's parents Tom Evans and Kate James
PA

"From this point onwards there will be no more statements issued or interviews given. We hope you will respect this. Thank you."

Sir David Henshaw, chairman of the Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, and chief executive Louise Shepherd had said in an open letter that the events of recent weeks had "deeply affected" staff.

The chairman's letter read: "Alfie Evans has deeply affected us all at Alder Hey. There isn't one member of our staff untouched by his desperate story, the facts of the case and the publicity surrounding it.

"All of us feel deeply for Alfie and his whole family and we continue to do everything we can to support them as best we can, just as we have for the last 17 months.

"Yet in the last two weeks we have found ourselves at the centre of a social media storm that has included many untrue statements about our work and the motivations of our staff.

"This has led to often inappropriate interventions from a range of external bodies and individuals, some of which have caused significant disruption to our children, families and staff.”

Specialists say Alfie's brain has been "eroded", but his parents Tom Evans and Kate James, who are in their 20s and from Liverpool, insist their son is not experiencing pain or suffering.

Additional reporting by the Press Association

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