SOUTHAMPTON Hospital bosses have this afternoon confirmed they were willing to support Ashya’s transfer to Europe for proton beam radiotherapy.

A spokesperson for University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Southampton General Hospital, said that they did discuss the option of treatment at the Proton Therapy Centre in Prague and had made contact with the centre.

They added: “We were willing to support the family’s transfer to Prague for proton beam radiotherapy, although we did not recommend it.

“The Proton Therapy Centre has been in touch again yesterday afternoon to enquire about Ashya’s potential future care and confirm that they would be keen to treat him if he is suitable according to the relevant criteria.

“We have of course been open to discussing this, however, since Ashya is a ward of court, at this stage it is for a judge to make all future decisions regarding his treatment.

“The decision to apply for ward of court was made by Portsmouth City Council with our support and on the advice of Hampshire Police.”