A petition calling for a national inquiry into the death of 13-month-old Preston Davey has garnered significant public attention, with nearly 100,000 signatures from across the UK. Preston was sexually abused and murdered by his adoptive father, Jamie Varley, a former high school teacher, in Blackpool in 2023. Varley was sentenced to a whole life term without the possibility of parole after being found guilty of inflicting prolonged abuse culminating in a fatal sexual assault. His partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, was also convicted and received a 25-year prison sentence for participating in the abuse and neglecting to protect the child.

The petition, initiated shortly after the sentencing and launched on June 18, calls for a comprehensive investigation into the safeguarding failures that allowed Preston’s abuse to go undetected. It is supported by Preston’s birth parents, Sarah Davey and Gary Nolan, as well as Blackpool South MP Chris Webb. Webb described each signature as “a signal to the Government that the public wants answers about what happened to Preston Davey.”

High-profile figures, including pop singer Ellie Goulding and Carrie Johnson, wife of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, have publicly backed the petition. Actress Olivia Colman has also signed in support of the inquiry. These endorsements have helped boost visibility and add pressure on government officials to take action.

In response to the public outcry, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson addressed the issue in the House of Commons, pledging to implement stronger child protection measures. She committed to introducing new safeguards through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026, with plans to have them in place by next March. Phillipson acknowledged the tragedy and emphasized the government’s resolve to prevent similar cases in the future, stating, “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.”

Supporters of the petition argue that a national inquiry is necessary to uncover systemic failures and hold relevant agencies accountable. They contend that lessons must be learned to improve safeguarding policies and prevent further abuse.

No official government announcement has confirmed whether a formal inquiry will be launched, but the growing number of signatures and public endorsements indicate strong demand for further investigation into the circumstances surrounding Preston Davey’s death.