Archie Battersbee’s life support to be withdrawn on Saturday morning

Archie Battersbee's life support is due to be withdrawn on Saturday morning after his family's legal fight to move him to a hospice came to an end.

His parents, and Paul Battersbee, made a last-ditch plea to the European court of human rights on Friday night to intervene after their attempt to appeal a high court ruling that he must remain the at Royal London hospital was rejected by the court of appeal.

His family have now been informed that treatment will be withdrawn at 10am on Saturday. A spokesperson for the Christian Legal Centre, which is backing the family legal bid, told the PA news agency: "All legal routes have been exhausted. The family are devastated and are spending precious time with Archie."

Mrs Justice Theis, sitting at the high court, said she had taken her decision in the light of evidence from a doctor treating Archie that the risks of moving him were "major and unpredictable" and that he is becoming more fragile.

"The circumstances outlined by Dr F of the physical arrangements at the hospital, and the arrangements that can be made, will ensure that Archie's best interest will remain the focus of the final arrangements to enable him peacefully and privately to die in the embrace of the family he loved."

Archie's parents attempted to appeal partly on the basis that Theis did not allow an application for expert evidence from "Dr R", a consultant in paediatric respiratory medicine, they made just before Thursday's hearing.

Outlining her decision not to grant the application for expert assessment, Theis said that the court had heard evidence from Dr F, "the treating specialist who has detailed knowledge of Archie's current position", and that Dr R had not worked in a paediatric intensive care unit since 2008.

She added: "Dr R takes little issue with what Dr F set out, other than the assessment of risks involved in transfer in which he recognises he has no detailed information about Archie's clinical position or background."

The three court of appeal judges, led by Sir Andrew McFarlane, said Theis's reasoning for not instructing Dr R were sound. "We have reached the clear conclusion that each of her decisions was right for the reasons she gave. It follows that the proposed appeal has no prospect of success and there is no other compelling reason for the court of appeal to hear an appeal," they said.

Archie has been in a coma since 7 April when he suffered a catastrophic brain injury. His mother believes he choked while taking part in a viral social media challenge. On Wednesday, the Strasbourg court refused to intervene in the case, which was his parents' last hope of preventing his life support being removed.

During Thursday's hearing, the court heard from Ms C, Archie's brother's fiancee. She said that the family believed Archie would not die with peace and dignity if his treatment was withdrawn at the hospital, partly due to a breakdown in trust. By contrast, she said the hospice would offer a more peaceful setting, had better facilities to accommodate the family, and Archie would be able to stay there for longer after his death than at the hospital.

But Dr F outlined a series of risks, including Archie's blood pressure dropping, human error dislodging medication tubes when he was moved or equipment failure.

"Archie has what she described as a bespoke care regime to meet his particular needs," Theis said in her judgment. "Once he leaves the hospital Archie would be with people who would be unfamiliar with his particular care needs and would be caring for Archie in very different circumstances, in the confines of a vehicle and a reduced care team."

Concluding her judgment, Theis said she recognised "the enormity of what lies ahead for Archie's parents and the family. Their unconditional love and dedication to Archie is a golden thread that runs through this case. I hope now Archie can be afforded the opportunity for him to die in peaceful circumstances, with the family who meant so much to him as he clearly does to them."