The English bishops have asked for changes to the law so that parents can have a greater say in the fate of their dying children.

They spoke after eight-month-old Indi Gregory died in a hospice after her life support was withdrawn against the wishes of her parents.

Dean Gregory and Claire Staniforth tried to get her to Italy, where the Church-run Bambino Gesu Children’s Hospital in Rome had offered to continue her treatment but British judges blocked the transfer.

Bishop Patrick McKinney of Nottingham, and Auxiliary Bishop John Sherrington of Westminster, the lead Bishop for Life Issues, said the case demonstrated an imbalance of power in existing law and demand changes.