Archie Battersbee’s family want the 12-year-old to be moved to a hospice if his life support is to be cut off, a friend has said.

Speaking to the PA news agency outside the Royal London Hospital, family friend Ella Carter said the “seven or eight” security guards around his room made for a chaotic environment.

“If this is Archie’s last couple of days it needs to be peaceful and it needs to be a calm atmosphere, and it’s the complete opposite really,” she said.

“We would really like it to be in a hospice – I mean that’s exactly what they’re designed for, they’re so well-equipped to deal with situations like this.

“If the trust can work with us and co-operate with us in working towards getting him in a hospice we would be forever grateful for that.”

Read more >>> Archie's parents appeal to Supreme Court in bid to extend life-support treatment

Hollie Dance and Paul Battersbee, from Southend, last week made an application to the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to review Archie's case.

The committee issued a request that the UK Government "refrain from withdrawing" his treatment while it considers their complaint.

However, a letter sent on Sunday on behalf of Health Secretary Steve Barclay requested the matter be urgently reviewed by the courts.

A Court of Appeal hearing was held yesterday, following which three senior judges refused to further extend the stay on withdrawing Archie's treatment.

Sir Andrew McFarlane said there would be a short stay put in place until 12pm today to allow Ms Dance and Mr Battersbee time to make an application for permission to appeal to the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court has now confirmed it has received such an application and that it is being considered by a panel of three justices.

A spokeswoman for the court said: "The Supreme Court is aware of the urgency of this matter. A panel of three justices will consider the application for permission to appeal 'on paper', in the usual way."

Read more >>> Archie's family 'hopeful' court will accept appeal over treatment, friend says

Ms Dance, said: "We are having to battle over every decision with the hospital.

"There is nothing dignified in how we are being treated as a family in this situation.

"We do not understand what the rush is and why all of our wishes are being denied.

"I know Archie's still with us. Archie's showing very different signs to what the clinicians are actually putting over to the courts.

"He's very much there, he's progressing in so many ways.

"We pray for an encouraging response from the Supreme Court."

A spokesman for the Christian Legal Centre, which is supporting the legal action brought by Archie's parents, said the hospital trust has confirmed it will not take any steps to withdraw treatment until the Supreme Court has reached a decision.

Miss Carter has said they are hopeful about the Supreme Court's decision.

She added: "We've made the application to the Supreme Court this morning to appeal the decision with regards to the United Nation's request for Archie's battle to continue.

"Hopefully we should hear back if not today, hopefully tomorrow, whether that's been accepted.

"We're hoping that they will accept our appeal and that they will hear our case - it's been really frustrating."