Why the Express & Star is backing calls for a public inquiry into the cruel death of baby Preston Davey

The Express & Star is throwing its weight behind calls for a national public inquiry into the death of baby Preston Davey, a campaign that is gathering support from politicians, celebrities and thousands of members of the public.

More than 87,000 people have now signed a petition demanding an inquiry into the safeguarding failures surrounding Preston's death, after he was murdered by the man who was in the process of adopting him - the man he came to know as ‘dad’.

Among those supporting the petition are global superstar Ellie Goulding; campaigner Carrie Johnson, wife of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson; Coronation Street star Nicola Thorp; child cruelty offender register campaigner Paula Hudgell and campaigner Hetti Barkworth-Nanton.

The campaign has also attracted backing from MPs and child protection campaigners, with Blackpool South MP Chris Webb continuing to press the Government to establish a public inquiry. He is expected to raise the issue directly with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

The Express & Star is part of a network of news titles backing the campaign, which seeks answers about how a vulnerable child in the care of the state could have been so catastrophically failed.

Preston was just 13 months old when he was murdered by a man who was in the process of adopting him.

In less than four months, Preston suffered sexual, physical and emotional abuse and was left with more than 40 non-accidental injuries. During that time he was admitted to hospital on three occasions and was regularly visited by social workers.

Jamie Varley, 37, was sentenced to a whole-life order after being convicted of murder, child cruelty, sexual offences and offences relating to indecent images. His former partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, was jailed for 25 years for allowing the death of a child, child cruelty and sexual assault.

The case has prompted serious questions about the safeguarding systems responsible for protecting vulnerable children.

The campaign was launched by the Blackpool Gazette and Lancashire Post alongside Preston's birth parents, Sarah Davey and Gary Nolan, and Blackpool South MP Chris Webb.

Express & Star editor-in-chief Martin Wright said: "Preston Davey undoubtedly deserved better.

"The safeguarding measures put in place to protect him failed, with devastating consequences.

"We are supporting calls for a public inquiry because there remain important questions about how this could have happened and what lessons must be learned to help protect vulnerable children in future."

Chris Webb, MP for Blackpool South, said: "The public response to baby Preston's case has been extraordinary and reflects the strength of feeling among a community devastated by the loss of this little boy in such tragic circumstances.

"More than 61,000 people have now signed the petition calling for an inquiry and campaigners, charities, fellow MPs and high-profile supporters from across the country have joined those calls.

"This campaign is about serious questions that remain unanswered about how Preston was so catastrophically failed by systems that existed to protect him. Preston deserved better, his family deserve answers and every vulnerable child in this country needs lessons to be learnt from this tragedy.

"I will continue working with campaigners and supporters across the country until that happens."

The campaign is calling for a public national inquiry to address a number of unanswered questions, including:

• Why were repeated warning signs not acted upon?
• Should children placed outside their home authority automatically be assigned a local social worker with direct oversight of their care?
• How are repeat hospital admissions for children in care shared between the NHS, the placing authority and the authority where the child lives?
• Are adoption vetting procedures rigorous enough to prevent prospective adopters hiding behind a false front?

To support the campaign, sign the petition here.