‘Preston Davey deserved higher’ petition signed by Ellie Goulding and Carrie Johnson
Ellie Goulding and Carrie Johnson have signed a petition calling for a national inquiry into the death of Preston Davey, which has now passed 100,000 signatures
Preston Davey died just four months into the evil couple’s care(Image: Lancashire Police/PA Wire)
Singer Ellie Goulding and Carrie Johnson, the wife of ex-prime minister Boris Johnson, have added their names to a petition demanding a national inquiry into the death of Preston Davey. The petition has now garnered over 100,000 signatures.
The 13-month-old was sexually abused and murdered by his adoptive father, a former secondary school teacher. Jamie Varley, 37, subjected Preston to “unremitting abuse” before a final, lethal, sexual assault ended his life, as heard in Preston Crown Court earlier this month.
He received a whole life sentence and was informed he will never be eligible for parole. His partner John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, a former public school pupil, was imprisoned for 25 years for permitting Varley’s treatment of the child and participating in the sexual abuse.
Following the sentencing, the Blackpool Gazette and Lancashire Post initiated a change.org petition titled: “Preston Davey deserved better. Demand a national inquiry”.
The petition, supported by Blackpool South MP Chris Webb and Preston’s biological parents Sarah Davey and Gary Nolan, demands “a national inquiry into the safeguarding failures that cost Preston his life”.
‘Lights’ singer Goulding, who is a mother to two young children, and Johnson, who has four children with the former prime minister, have signed the petition, which was launched on June 18.
Mr Webb described each signature as “a signal to the government that the public wants answers about what happened to Preston Davey”.
Addressing the Commons last week, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson vowed to do “everything within our power” to prevent another child suffering the same fate as Preston.
She promised to implement fresh protections under the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 by March, telling MPs: “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.”
Ms Phillipson 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.
“I am glad that justice has been served.
“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.”
