Medical Cannabis Oil Returned To Billy Caldwell

The Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, has returned Billy Caldwell's medical cannabis oil, that was confiscated from his mother at Heathrow Airport last Monday, 11 June.

It is understood that the medical cannabis was returned to the 12-year-old Co Tyrone boy after doctors convinced authorities that his situation was a "medical emergency".

In 2016, Billy became the first person in the UK to receive a prescription for medical cannabis to control his seizures. However, the Home Office later ruled that the prescription be stopped.

Billy's mother was stopped at Heathrow Airport last Monday by Border Force who confiscated cannabis oil she had brought back from Canada.

Billy and his mother, Charlotte, moved from Tyrone to London to petition the government to allow access to the medication. It is understood that Billy was admitted to hospital almost immediately after his treatment was stopped and it was reported that he had been suffering "back-to-back" seizures.

The cannabis oil was return on Saturday 16 June on a special 20-day license, which states that the treatment cannot be taken home to Tyrone.

The Home Office has said that the medication was issued for a "short term emergency" and would reviewed.

Charlotte Caldwell said that they had "achieved the impossible" but reiterated her call for medical cannabis to be freely available for all who needs it.

(MH/LM)