Archie Battersbee's family call for inquiry after tragic death

Archie passed away on Saturday shortly after his life support was turned off. (Photo: GoFundMe)

The family of Archie Battersbee are calling for an inquiry after his death on Saturday following a fraught legal battle to keep him on life support.

The family fought against turning off his life support in successive courts and even turned to the European Court of Human Rights and the UN, but were ultimately defeated.

Their last request to have him moved to a hospice so that he could die in more peaceful surroundings was also turned down.

His family, who were supported by the Christian Legal Centre, said they were "so proud" of Archie and that he had "fought against all the odds".

In a statement, they also thanked their supporters and those who have stood with them in the last few months.

However, they were strongly critical of the current system and are calling for change.

"We want something good to come out of this tragedy and the horrendous experience we have been put through by the system," they said.

"No parent or family must go through this again. We have been forced to fight a relentless legal battle by the Hospital Trust while faced with an unimaginable tragedy.

"We were backed into a corner by the system, stripped of all our rights, and have had to fight for Archie's real 'best interests' and right to live with everything stacked against us.

"This has now happened too often to parents who do not want their critically ill children to have life-support removed.

"The pressure of the process has been unbelievable.

"There must be an investigation and inquiry through the proper channels on what has happened to Archie, and we will be calling for change."

Newsletter Stay up to date with Christian Today
News
Cuban pastor's son at risk following months-long detention
Cuban pastor's son at risk following months-long detention

The family has long been a target for Cuban authorities

IDF soldiers jailed for desecrating statue of Mary
IDF soldiers jailed for desecrating statue of Mary

It's not the first time IDF soldiers have been disrespectful of Christian sites.

Why did the Lord speak to Moses in the desert?
Why did the Lord speak to Moses in the desert?

Numbers 1:1 goes: ‘And the Lord spoke to Moses in the Sinai desert.’ But why is the desert the best place to receive this teaching?

Labour presses on with controversial plans to ban 'conversion therapy'
Labour presses on with controversial plans to ban 'conversion therapy'

Critics of the plans fear that ordinary Christian practices will be criminalised.