MPs call for public inquiry after murder and abuse of baby Preston
MPs Chris Webb and Andrew Snowden say unanswered questions remain over how warning signs were missed before the death of 13-month-old Preston Davey
Last updated 19th Jun 2026
Two MPs are calling for a full public inquiry into potential safeguarding failures following the death of 13-month-old Preston Davey.
At 13 months old, Preston died after four months of abuse at the hands of high school head of year Jamie Varley, 37, from Blackpool.
Varley was sentenced to a whole life order for murder, child cruelty, sexual offences and indecent images relating to Preston.
John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, was jailed for 25 years for allowing the death of a child, child cruelty and sexual assault.
A child safeguarding practice review was launched by Oldham Council after Preston’s death, but was paused during criminal proceedings.
It's now resumed.
Enquiry call
Blackpool South MP Chris Webb MP and Fylde MP Andrew Snowden MP are now calling for a full public inquiry.
Chris Webb MP 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."
Petition
A petition has also been launched calling on the Government to hold a national inquiry.
The petition, which has over 9,000 signatures at the time of writing, says warning signs were not acted on, including multiple hospital admissions and concerns raised during social worker contact.
It also questions whether children placed outside their home authority should automatically have a local social worker, how information is shared between agencies, and whether adoption vetting procedures are strong enough.
Chris Webb says he will be taking the case to the Prime Minister when he returns to Parliament on Monday 22 June.
An Oldham Council spokesperson said baby Preston’s case had been “particularly heart-wrenching and disturbing” and confirmed the local independent CSPR “will examine the handling of Preston’s safeguarding”.
The Government has pledged to ensure “anyone responsible for negligence faces consequences”.