Archie Battersbee’s life support to be withdrawn on Saturday morning

Archie Battersbee's life support is due to be withdrawn on Saturday morning after his family's legal fight to move him to a hospice came to an end.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His family have now been informed that treatment will be withdrawn at 10am on Saturday.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.