A single mother has lost the latest round of a life-support treatment battle over her brain-damaged five-year-old daughter as three appeal judges ruled against continuing the little girl’s life support treatment.

John Deighan, Deputy Chief Executive of SPUC, said: “This is a desperately sad day and a decision which allows despair to triumph over hope. In Pippa’s case, her right to life has been sacrificed through the judicial process.”

In December 2020, medics went to court seeking permission to cease treating Pippa Knight, 5, who has been in hospital for two years. Justice Poole ruled that ruled specialists could lawfully stop treatment. With the backing of SPUC, Pippa’s brave mum, Paula Parfitt, launched a court appeal intended to save her daughter’s life.

However three appeal judges have now ruled against her.

Lady Justice King, Lord Justice Baker and Lady Justice Elisabeth Laing delivered a ruling on Friday and upheld Mr Justice Poole’s decision.

Lord Justice Baker said in a written ruling: “I am entirely satisfied that the judge was entitled to conclude and declare that it was lawful and in Pippa’s best interests that life-sustaining treatment be withdrawn for the reasons he gave in his judgment.”

The other two appeal judges said they agreed.

“A courageous young girl”

SPUC’s Mr Deighan said: “This courageous young girl has fought to live with every breath in her body for the last two years but the court has decided that fight has been in vain.

“Many will share our angst and deep concerns that we live in a society in which the value of a human life is treated with such disregard.

“Our thoughts are now with Paula who just days ago celebrated Mother’s Day with optimism, going for a walk in the Spring sunshine with Pippa on a portable ventilator which could have been used to prolong her life at home.

“We were deeply moved by Pippa’s plight and Paula’s predicament as this courageous mum fought against the odds and the authorities to do everything humanly possible to protect her daughter and give her the best possible care.

“We could not stand by and do nothing and that is why we stepped in to support the family in their hour of need when they were refused legal aid to mount one more challenge to give Pippa a second chance.

“Our supporters have a wonderful track record of giving generously to defend the right of life in such court cases and they have already responded to our call to help finance this crucial legal battle which now looms.

“They dug deep to raise the funds to save Pippa and we are immensely saddened with the outcome.

“It will take some time for us to study the details of the decision in the coming days and we will then seek further legal advice to consider our future options in a distressing case which will have touched the hearts of every mum in the country.”