By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-06-23 20:29:10 | Updated at 2026-06-23 21:40:35
1 hour ago
Labour has pledged to do "everything within our power" to prevent another child facing the same tragic fate as Preston Davey, horrifically killed by his adoptive parents.
The 13-month-old died after suffocating on an object lodged in his mouth, bringing an end to an awful period of physical, sexual and psychological abuse by his adoptive father Jamie Varley, a former high school teacher.
Varley, 37, was sentenced to life in prison at Preston Crown Court last week for inflicting "unremitting abuse" on baby Preston before a final, fatal, sexual assault took his life.
Varley's partner John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, was also jailed for 25 years for enabling Varley's awful actions, and taking part in the sexual abuse.
Social workers, nurses and police have all been criticised for negligence over the landmark case, with some eight documented missed opportunities to have picked up on the abuse and intervened.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson had previously committed to rolling out new safeguards in the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026.
She described the two men as "evil abusers" and said she was "glad that justice has been served" now the pair had been sentenced.
In response, Helen Hayes, education committee chairwoman, urged ministers to set out a timetable for implementing "multi-agency child protection teams in every local authority area".
The Labour MP for Dulwich and West Norwood said: "In light of the serious safeguarding failings in Preston's case and other recent cases of children who should have been safe in the care of the state, can the Secretary of State set out the expected timetable for implementing these reforms, and how quickly we can expect to see stronger safeguarding practice consistently nationwide?"
Ms Philipson agreed it was a "shocking case," and committed to rolling out the safeguards in the Act by March.
She added: "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.
"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."
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said updated legislation is 'an urgent priority for this incoming Government'
PA
She confirmed the child safeguard practice review has commenced, led by the local safeguarding partnership with the national child safeguarding practice review, "working closely to make sure it is of the highest quality".
Suella Braverman, Reform UK education spokeswoman, said: "Amongst the army of health visitors, social workers and medics who saw baby Preston - why did nobody raise the alarm?
"And what action is being taken now to safeguard the welfare of those children under the care of Oldham Council now?"
Ms Phillipson said it was "an urgent priority for this incoming Government to update legislation to make sure we do everything within our power to keep children safe".
"I am glad that justice has been served. We can't bring Preston back, but we can make sure that we do everything within our power to stop this from happening to other children in future."
Preston's grandmother Debbie Davey also questioned whether fears of being accused of homophobia clouded the judgement of social workers who "failed" the child.
Varley was found guilty of murder at Preston Crown Court, in addition to two counts of assault by penetration, five counts of cruelty to a child, grievous bodily harm, and sexual assault of a child.
Other charges included 13 counts of taking indecent photos or videos of a child, one of distributing an indecent photo of a child to his partner, McGowan-Fazakerley, and one of making an indecent photo.
Meanwhile, McGowan-Fazakerley was found guilty of allowing the death of a child, two counts of child cruelty and one count of the sexual assault of a child.
Oldham council confirmed an independent Child Safeguarding Practice Review is already underway, which will examine the handling of Preston’s safeguarding.
Adoption Now, which arranged Preston’s adoption, claims it follows a "strict and rigorous process in line with all relevant legislation and guidance in the assessment and approval of adopters".
