Public inquiry calls into baby's murder by adoptive dad

Two MPs have called for a full public inquiry into potential safeguarding failures leading to the abuse and murder of baby Preston Davey by his adoptive father.

The 13-month old was killed in July 2023 by former high school teacher Jamie Varley, 37, from Blackpool, who had adopted him with his partner and subjected him to physical, sexual and emotional abuse.

Preston was taken into care at five days old after an emergency care order by Oldham Council and was placed with foster parents before being adopted by the couple.

Blackpool South MP Chris Webb and Fylde MP Andrew Snowden are calling for an inquiry to find out how the adoption went ahead, to "ensure that nothing like this happens again".

The call from the MPs comes as a number of petitions have been created calling for similar action to be taken.

Webb said: "There are fundamental questions that remain unanswered, why were repeated signs missed? Why did the systems designed to protect him fail so catastrophically?"

He added: "We can't allow this tragedy to be treated as an isolated case, there needs to be accountability, transparency and lessons learned."

Snowden said: "The systems that exist to protect children are there for a reason, and in Preston's case, those systems have failed in the most devastating way imaginable.

"That is why I am supporting and working with Chris Webb MP on the call for a public inquiry to establish what happened, what warning signs were missed and what changes are needed to ensure no child is ever failed in this way again."

A child safeguarding practice review, paused during the criminal proceedings, is set to be relaunched by Oldham Council.

Varley was given a whole life order on Thursday for Preston's sexual abuse and murder, meaning he will never be released from prison unless in exceptional compassionate circumstances.

He told police Preston had accidentally drowned in a bath, but a post-mortem examination discovered the child had suffered 40 injuries.

His partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, was found guilty of sexual assault, child cruelty and allowing the death of a child, and was jailed for 25 years.

In the weeks leading up to his murder, Preston was taken to hospital three times and was seen by a number of professionals.. He had begun to suffer non-accidental "cluster" injuries of bruising, seizures or respiratory failures after he began living at the couple's home, four months before his death.

When social workers visited Preston at home, they did not feel that he was in danger and, on 27 July 2023, Preston was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital by Varley for the final time.

Lancashire Police said their investigation had not revealed any evidence to suggest the men had a sexual interest in children prior to the adoption.

Oldham Council said the independent Child Safeguarding Practice Review was already under way, which would examine the handling of Preston's safeguarding, while regional adoption agency, Adoption Now, said it had followed "a strict and rigorous process... in the assessment and approval of adopters".

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