Ashya King ‘can travel to Prague’

The parents of a sick five-year-old boy who hit the headlines after taking the youngster from a hospital without doctors’ permission, have been given the go-ahead to take their son to the Czech Republic for proton beam treatment.

A High Court judge last night said Brett and Naghmeh King could take son Ashya — who has a brain tumour — to a clinic in Prague to receive treatment not available in England.

Mr Justice Baker approved a treatment plan after telephone discussions with lawyers representing the Kings and the hospital in Southampton, Hampshire, where Ashya was a patient.

The Kings had travelled to Spain after leaving Southampton General Hospital last week. The couple were arrested and held in custody after British police raised the alarm. They were released when prosecutors withdrew an arrest warrant in the wake of a public outcry.

Portsmouth City Council launched family court litigation asking for directions about the youngster’s treatment.

Mr Justice Baker was told the Kings wanted their son to receive proton beam radiotherapy.

Southampton General Hospital said doctors aimed to provide chemotherapy but not proton beam.

The judge said Ashya — who is currently in hospital in Malaga, Spain — could be taken to the University Hospital Motol in the Czech Republic.

Mr Justice Baker said specialists at a Czech proton therapy centre had considered a treatment plan. He had also seen evidence of the treatment planned, evidence of plans to fly Ashya to Prague and evidence that the Kings could afford the cost of treatment and transport.