Government pledges action after Preston Davey case

Here is the latest breaking news from around the world: Government pledges action after Preston Davey caseImage source, HandoutImage caption, Preston Davey died in July 2023, four months after being adoptedPublished27 minutes agoEducation Secretary Bridget Phillipson has pledged to do "everything within our power" to prevent another child facing the same fate as Preston Davey. The 13-month old was sexually abused and murdered by his adoptive father, who was a former high school teacher. Jamie Varley, 37, was given a whole life term for inflicting "unremitting abuse" on Preston before a final, fatal, sexual assault took his life, Preston Crown Court heard last week.

In the Commons, Phillipson committed to rolling out new safeguards in the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 by March. Image source, Lancashire PoliceImage caption, Jamie Varley was convicted of murder following an eight-week trial at Preston Crown CourtVarley's partner John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, was jailed for 25 years for allowing Varley's treatment of the child and taking part in the sexual abuse. At education questions on Monday, Phillipson said she was "glad that justice has been served" as she described the two men as "evil abusers".

The Details

Education committee chairwoman Helen Hayes had pressed 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? "Philipson said it was a "shocking case" as she 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. "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.

"Reform UK education spokeswoman Suella Braverman 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? "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".

The story has become one of the most prominent items on the global agenda.