The mother of Archie Battersbee has said the family is “broken” but “refuse to give up on him” after losing a High Court bid to have him transferred to a hospice to die.

The 12-year-old's parents, Hollie Dance and Paul Battersbee, who are separated but both from Southend, had filed a last-ditch application yesterday in a bid to move him to a hospice to die.

However, High Court judge Mrs Justice Theis has ruled this morning that Archie cannot be moved and should remain at the Royal London Hospital when treatment is withdrawn.

Following the ruling, Archie’s mother Hollie Dance said: “All our wishes as a family have been denied by the authorities.

“We are broken, but we are keeping going, because we love Archie and refuse to give up on him.”

Read more >>> Archie Battersbee's parents lose High Court bid to move him to hospice

Mrs Justice Theis also refused permission to appeal against her ruling, after lawyers for the family requested it.

The family may now pursue a challenge directly with the Court of Appeal, and Mrs Justice Theis granted a stay on the withdrawal of treatment until 2pm today (August 5) to allow time for an appeal to be lodged.

It is understood the family intend to lodge an appeal directly with the Court of Appeal by 1.30pm.

She concluded her judgment by saying: “I return to where I started, recognising the enormity of what lays ahead for Archie’s parents and the family.

“Their unconditional love and dedication to Archie is a golden thread that runs through this case.

“I hope now Archie can be afforded the opportunity for him to die in peaceful circumstances, with the family who meant so much to him as he clearly does to them.”

Archie has been in a coma since he was found unconscious at his home in Southend on April 7 and is being kept alive by a combination of medical interventions at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, east London.