Darren and Debbie Wyatt, from Portsmouth, who are today celebrating Charlotte's second birthday, were at the High Court in London for the ruling given by Mr Justice Hedley. They had asked the judge to discharge his year-old declaration that doctors would not be acting unlawfully if they decided it was not in the child's best interests to artificially ventilate her in a life-threatening situation. Reading out a detailed ruling in the case today the judge said he had come to the view that "at least at present no further declaratory relief is required". Mrs Wyatt, 24, who is heavily pregnant with the couple's fourth child, and her husband Darren, 33, say that the condition of their daughter has improved to such an extent that she has now "crossed an invisible line", meaning that the use of artificial ventilation in certain circumstances would be justified. A statement issued on the couple's behalf stated: "Darren and Debbie are very happy that the order what has been hanging over Charlotte for over a year now has been lifted as this has caused a huge strain on their lives". Despite the gloomy prognosis last year, Charlotte survived against the odds and medical opinion, and is said to have made "remarkable progress" despite serious brain, lung and kidney damage. She weighed just one pound and was only five inches long when she was born three months prematurely at St Mary's Hospital in Portsmouth. The parents of profoundly disabled Charlotte Wyatt today won their latest legal battle over their daughter's medical treatment.
His dream was over, but allies insisted his influence in the party was undiminished, and even enhanced.. David Davis survived a strong challenge from Liam Fox and kept his flickering hopes of becoming Tory leader alive by winning a place in a run-off with the clear favourite, David Cameron. In a second round of voting among Tory MPs yesterday, the party's young pretender continued his remarkable rise by topping the poll, winning 90 votes, up from 56 in the first round. Mr Davis won 57 (down five) while Dr Fox came bottom with 51 (up nine) and was eliminated..
The announcement of Liam Fox's nationwide campaign to win the Tory leadership ballot went out just after 1pm yesterday as MPs started to vote. The optimistic notice promised that he would launch his national tour in the East End. Above the press notice was a cautionary note: "subject to change/cancellation". Four-and-a-half hours later, when Sir Michael Spicer's voice boomed out over loudspeakers placed in Westminster's committee corridor, he knew his fate. He was accused by Clare Short, the Labour MP, of being drunk, the only MP in modern times to be so labelled at the dispatch box.Despite furious denials at the time, he later admitted that she was right It was probably the Chateau Palmer.. The Yquem did its work on an empty stomach and I sparkled."The reference is one of many in Clark's three volumes of diaries to his liking for fine wines, among other sensual pleasures.
