Alfie Evans’ life-support machine was withdrawn last night, but he has been breathing on his own ever since. His father has said on social media that he needs some assistance with oxygen.

Alfie has also been made an Italian Citizen in the hope that he can be transferred to the Bambino Gesu Paediatric Hospital, the head of which has travelled to Liverpool in a bid to have Alfie transferred, saying Pope Francis has asked her to do everything ‘possible’ and ‘impossible’ to save him.

An aircraft is on standby to take him.