Singer Ellie Goulding and Carrie Johnson, wife of former prime minister Boris Johnson, have signed a petition calling for a national inquiry into the death of 13-month-old Preston Davey. The petition, launched on change.org on June 18, has now garnered over 100,000 signatures.
Details of the Case
Preston Davey was sexually abused and murdered by his adoptive father, Jamie Varley, 37, a former secondary school teacher. At Preston Crown Court earlier this month, Varley was sentenced to a whole life term with no possibility of parole. His partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, a former public school pupil, received 25 years in prison for permitting the abuse and participating in sexual assaults.
The petition, initiated by the Blackpool Gazette and Lancashire Post, is titled "Preston Davey deserved better. Demand a national inquiry." It is supported by Blackpool South MP Chris Webb and Preston's biological parents, Sarah Davey and Gary Nolan. The petition demands a national inquiry into the safeguarding failures that led to Preston's death.
Public Figures Show Support
Goulding, a mother of two, and Johnson, who has four children with Boris Johnson, are among the signatories. MP Chris Webb stated that each signature is "a signal to the government that the public wants answers about what happened to Preston Davey."
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson addressed the House of Commons last week, vowing to do "everything within our power" to prevent similar tragedies. She promised to implement new protections under the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 by March. Phillipson said: "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."
Government Response
Phillipson announced that independent experts have been asked to review Oldham Council, Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, and the regional adoption agency. She noted: "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." She added: "It is an urgent priority for this incoming Government to update legislation to make sure we do everything within our power to keep children safe. We can't bring Preston back, but we can make sure that we do everything within our power to stop this happening to other children in future."
