Letter backed by celebrities and politicians calls for full national inquiry into death of Preston Davey

A letter calling for a national inquiry into the death of infant Preston Davey has been backed by various celebrities and politicians.

The infant died just months after being adopted by Jamie Varley and his partner John McGowan-Fazakerley at their home in Blackpool.

An investigation into Preston’s death revealed the youngster had been subjected to horrific physical, sexual and emotional abuse by Varley, with the 37-year-old former schoolteacher being found guilty of child cruelty, sexual offences and indecent images and handed a whole life order, meaning he will never be released from prison.

Meanwhile, McGowan-Fazakerley was convicted of allowing the death of a child, child cruelty and sexual assault and sentenced to 25 years behind bars.

Following the trial, a petition calling for a national inquiry into Preston’s death has gained over 100,000 signatures at the time of writing, with signatories including a number of celebrities and politicians.

The petition, which was launched by the Blackpool Gazette and Lancashire Post and backed by Preston’s birth parents, has called for an investigation ‘into the safeguarding failures that cost Preston his life’.

“In less than four months, little Preston was sexually abused, physically assaulted, and left with 40 injuries. He was taken to hospital three times. Social workers visited regularly. His abusers even admitted to having dark thoughts about him. And still, nothing stopped it,” the petition reads.

“But the question that has to be asked – and answered – is how a baby boy in the care of the state could be so badly let down by every system designed to protect him.”

Carrie Johnson, wife of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, singer Ellie Goulding and Oscar-winning actor Olivia Colman are amongst the celebrity-backers of the petition, with Johnson sharing a post on her Instagram account to raise awareness about the cause.

Addressed to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the letter reads: “We are writing to urge you to establish a full, statutory national public inquiry into Preston’s death and the wider safeguarding failures it may have exposed across the country.”

The letter continues: “We cannot allow Preston’s death to become another tragedy followed by expressions of regret, promises that lessons will be learned and little meaningful change.

“Without a thorough examination of what happened, there can be no confidence that the necessary lessons will be learned.”

A statutory national public inquiry should establish:

• What warning signs were identified and by whom.
• Whether concerns were appropriately recorded, shared and acted upon.
• Whether communication between agencies was adequate and effective.
• Whether existing safeguarding procedures were followed.
• Whether systemic failures contributed to missed opportunities to protect Preston.
• Whether those failings are being replicated elsewhere in the country.
• What reforms are required to prevent similar tragedies in the future, not just in Oldham but across the country.

Jamie Varley received a whole-life order for killing baby Preston (Lancashire Police)

John McGowan-Fazakerley was handed 25 years for allowing the death of a child, child cruelty and sexual assault (Lancashire Police)

“This is not about blame for its own sake. It is about accountability and ensuring that vulnerable children are better protected in future.”

Former actor and broadcaster Nicola Thorp has also shared her public backing for the petition, as well as Sherwood actor David Morrissey, Labour MP for Blackpool South, Chris Webb and Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott.

You can access a link to the petition here.

Meanwhile, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson pledged to do ‘everything within our power’ to prevent another child facing the same fate as Preston.

“Our thoughts must be with all of those who loved and knew Preston, and it is right that the evil abusers that committed these sickening and shocking crimes are now behind bars,” Phillipson said.

Carrie Johnson is one of the many high profile backers of an inquiry into Preston’s death (PA)

“The House can be assured that we take this extremely seriously, it is why I have asked for independent experts to look at Oldham Council, Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and the regional adoption agency to look carefully at all of the issues and concerns that have been raised through this process.

“The child safeguard practice review is commencing, led by the local safeguarding partnership with the national child safeguarding practice review, working closely to make sure it is of the highest quality.”