'We had a chance and we were not allowed': Charlie Gard's parents blame hospital as they end legal fight to save baby's life

In an undated photo provided by his family, Charlie Gard lies in Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Charlie Gard's parents have ended their legal fight over treatment for the terminally ill baby.

Chris Gard and Connie Yates announced their decision as a High Court judge was preparing to oversee the latest round of a five-month legal battle.

Yates read a statement to the court, with tears streaming down her cheeks: "Our son is an absolute warrior and we will miss him terribly. One little boy has brought the world together.

Chris Gard and Connie Yates with their son Charlie Gard provided by the family, at Great Ormond Street Hospital, in London.

"He has touched more people in his 11 months than most people do in a lifetime.

"His body, heart and soul may soon be gone but his sprit will live on indefinitely and he will make a difference for years to come.

"We are now going to spend our most precious moments with Charlie who will not make it to his first birthday. We now ask for privacy.

"Mum and Dad love you so much. We always have and always will and we say sorry we didn't save you. We had a chance and we were not allowed. Sleep tight baby boy Charlie Matthew William Gard. Our little hero. Thank you."

Mr Justice Francis had been scheduled to analyse what the couple said was fresh evidence at a hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London.

A lawyer representing Charlie's parents told Mr Justice Francis that "time had run out".

"This case is now about time," said their barrister Grant Armstrong, adding: "Sadly time has run out."

Armstrong said Charlie's parents had made a decision after the latest medical reports and scans.

Armstrong said damage to Charlie's muscle and tissue was irreversible.

"The parents' worst fears have been confirmed," he said. "It is now too late to treat Charlie."

The devoted parents of baby Charlie Gard, mother Connie Yates and Chris Gard, who have been fighting for his life for since March. Photo / AP

Gard and Yates, in their 30s and from Bedfont, west London, arrived for the hearing without comment.

The couple felt that continuing their fight would cause Charlie pain, said Armstrong.

He said the case was "worthy of a Greek tragedy".

Armstrong said Charlie's parents hoped to set up a foundation. He said they wanted lessons to be learned.

"Dark days lie ahead for these parents," said Armstrong.

"The parents wish to treasure their remaining time with Charlie, however short that may be."

Chris Gard,the father of critically ill baby Charlie Gard reads out a statement next to mother Connie Yates at the end of their case at the High Court in London. Photo / AP

Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) said their "hearts go out" to the family in the tragic case. However they backed their earlier decision that not to treat Charlie based on the "irreversible neurological damage" he had suffered, meaning they believed any chance of therapy improving his condition "had departed".

The hospital also noted its "surprise and disappointment" that the doctor who provided evidence for a last-minute intervention, Dr Michio Hirano, stated in court on July 13 he had not visited the hospital to examine Charlie, read his notes or seen his brain scans.

"Further, GOSH was concerned to hear the Professor state, for the first time, while in the witness box, that he retains a financial interest in some of the NBT compounds he proposed prescribing for Charlie.

"Devastatingly, the information obtained since July 13 gives no cause for optimism. Rather, it confirms that while [proposed therapy] NBT may well assist others in the future, it cannot and could not have assisted Charlie," they said.

Mr Justice Francis paid tribute to Charlie's parents and said no one could comprehend their agony. The judge said the couple now had to face reality.

He praised Great Ormond Street medics who had worked "tirelessly". The judge said it was a "disgrace" that staff had been subjected to abuse and threats.

The judge said lawyers had represented Charlie for free. He suggested that they should have been entitled to legal aid.

The judge said other parents were in the same position and suggested a legal aid review.

After the judge concluded his remarks, Yates told the court from the witness box: "We only wanted give him a chance of life."

She said "a whole lot of time has been wasted". Yates said she hoped Charlie's life would not be in vain.

Supporters of Charlie Gard shout and hold placards before his parents Connie Yates and Chris Gard arrived at the High Court in London. Photo / AP

Outside court, supporters calling themselves Charlie's Army reacted with anger and tears, chanting: "shame on you judge" and "shame on GOSH ".

Earlier, about 20 supporters of Charlie gathered outside with megaphones, blue balloons and banners.

The group chanted slogans and cheered when passing cars beeped their support.

Mainly women and children, they filled the road outside court with choruses of "Trump, the Pope, they all have hope" and "We love you Charlie, we do, oh Charlie we love you."

As Charlie's parents entered the High Court the throng screamed: "Justice for Charlie!"

David Gillespie, 45, from St Andrews, flew from Scotland on Monday morning to show his support.

He said: "This boy has to have one chance. That's it. He's not had one in life.

"I had one with a heart attack. He's not even had one at anything."

Timeline | Charlie Gard case

September 2016: One-month-old Charlie Gard was taken ill and diagnosed with a rare genetic condition at Great Ormond Street Hospital. The condition causes progressive muscle weakness and brain damage.

March 3, 2017: Great Ormond Street bosses asked Mr Justice Francis to rule that life support treatment should stop. The judge was told that Charlie could only breathe through a ventilator and was fed through a tube.

April 11: Mr Justice Francis said doctors could stop providing life-support treatment after analysing the case at a hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London. He concluded that life-support treatment should end and said a move to a palliative care regime would be in Charlie's best interests.

May 3-June 8: Charlie's parents took their case through the Court of Appeal and the UK Supreme Court with no success. They appealed the verdict to the European Court of Human Rights.

June 27: European judges refused to intervene. A Great Ormond Street spokeswoman said the decision marked "the end" of a "difficult process". She said there would be "no rush" to change Charlie's care and said there would be "careful planning and discussion".

July 2: Pope Francis sent a message of support to Charlie's parents, saying that life support must not be turned off until Charlie dies of natural causes. The Vatican-owned Bambino Gesu pediatric hospital in Rome said it was willing to continue Charlie's end-of-life care.

3 July: US President Donald Trump sent a message of support to Charlie's parents.

July 10: Chris Gard and Connie Yates returned to the High Court to present fresh evidence about treatment they said could prolong 11-month old Charlie's life.

July 24: Charlie's parents ended their five-month legal fight over treatment for their terminally ill son. Their barrister said: "The parents' worst fears have been confirmed, it is now too late to treat Charlie."

- with Washington Post