Critically-ill baby gets Italian citizenship as parents fight to take her abroad

06 November 2023 , 17:26

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Indi Gregory suffers from an incurable disease (Image: PA)

A critically-ill baby has been granted Italian citizenship as her parents fight to take her to Rome for hospital treatment.

Dean Gregory and Claire Staniforth, parents to Indi Gregory, have been caught in a lengthy legal battle over their daughter’s health. The eight-month-old has incurable mitochondrial disease - a condition that stops her cells' mitochondria from producing enough energy.

The parents, from Ilkeston, Derbyshire, had previously hoped the Court of Appeal would overturn a block on the youngster travelling to Italy for treatment. The family had been offered funded treatment at the Bambino Gesu Paediatric Hospital in Rome.

They hoped that this could prolong her life but doctors at Nottingham’s Queen’s Medical Centre, where Indi is being cared for, believe it would be kinder to let her pass than extend her suffering. A High Court judge previously put a stop on the transfer earlier this week, after telling doctors they could limit treatment. This decision was backed by two further judges who rejected the parent’s appeal.

Dean Gregory and Claire Staniforth with their daughter Indi Gregory, who has mitochondrial disease (PA)

Indi Gregory (PA)

But in light of that ruling, the Italian Council of Ministers have granted the infant Italian citizenship. Sky News reports that Dean said: "My heart fills up with joy that the Italians have given Claire and I hope and faith back in humanity. The Italians have shown us care and loving support and I wish the UK authorities were the same. I'm very proud to say Indi has Italian citizenship and I thank the Italian government and the Italian people from the bottom of my heart."

Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him

This complicates the case now and offers the family new legal options to pursue as well as raising issues around the UK's diplomatic obligations. Previously, the Court of Appeal said the High Court's decision was "sadly inevitable and right" and there was "no compelling reason" for an appeal hearing.

Indi and mum Claire Staniforth (GoFundMe)

Speaking to The Mirror while awaiting the verdict, Dean, 37, said: "We feel powerless. We keep asking, 'How can this be happening to us?' Even if the treatment in Italy makes no difference to her condition, at least we would have tried – it's a chance, something that any parent would do in an instant."

Claire, 35, said: "This is the most cruel and inhumane experience I have ever been through. It feels like somebody has cut a big chunk of my heart out." The couple, who also have daughter Vienna, six, lost previous legal attempts, including at the European Court of Human Rights, to overturn the decision to limit Indi's treatment. Bosses at Rome's Bambino Gesù Paediatric Hospital had reached out to them and were willing to perform surgery and were backed by international experts.

One Canadian mitochondrial specialist said the operation could offer Indi "a positive quality of life". Dean and Claire are being supported by campaign group Christian Concern and sister organisation the Christian Legal Centre. A spokesman for Christian Concern last night said lawyers were considering the next move.

Connie Yates, who lost a court battle in 2017 to keep 11-month-old son Charlie Gard alive, said: "I really empathise with Dean and Claire. I live with that 'what if' every day. I don't want them to go through that guilt of not being able to try everything." Christian Legal Centre CEO Andrea Williams said: "It is very concerning that a child can be held against the parents' wishes when they have alternative treatment available. We need reform."

Kieren Williams