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Will Jones – The Daily Sceptic June 15, 2026

Political correctness has been blamed for the failure of social workers to prevent a gay couple from murdering their adopted baby, with the child’s grandmother and a senior social worker suggesting worries about homophobia clouded officials’ judgement. The Mail has the story.

Officials missed a string of chances to save a baby sexually abused and murdered by the teacher adopting him.

Serious questions are being asked about the scrutiny faced by Jamie Varley, 37, and his boyfriend, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, after they were given little Preston Davey to look after.

Over a period of four months, the “pure evil” pair physically, psychologically and sexually assaulted the child under the noses of social workers. Varley was said to have treated Preston as his “plaything”.

One senior social worker questioned whether officials had been manipulated by the middle-class couple – who both had professional jobs, were articulate and lived a seemingly respectable lifestyle – or if they were blinded by political correctness and a desire to promote diversity.

“Questions need to be asked about whether these men were sufficiently challenged,” the source said. “Social workers can find it difficult to confront same-sex adoptive parents due to a fear of being seen as politically incorrect.”

Preston’s birth grandmother, Debbie Davey, 66, suggested that worries about homophobia may have clouded the judgement of those supposed to be supervising his care as at least eight opportunities to protect him were missed.

“Social services might have been hesitant to take action when they saw Preston because they may have been accused of being homophobic,” Davey said. “They didn’t see through [Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley] and see what was going on.”

A post-mortem examination found Preston, who was just 13 months old when he died, suffered more than 40 injuries, including 30 visible bruises and serious internal injuries to his throat and bottom.

A jury took 13 hours to convict Varley – a textiles teacher, who was also a head of year and safeguarding lead at a comprehensive school – of murder, while McGowan-Fazakerley, an accounts manager for a finance firm, was at work.

Varley, described during the harrowing trial as a “drama queen”, fell to his knees and started dry retching in the dock at Preston Crown Court as the verdicts were returned on Monday.

McGowan-Fazakerley, who was found guilty of sexual assault, two counts of cruelty and allowing Preston’s death, stared straight ahead and remained emotionless. They will be sentenced on Thursday.

Worth reading in full.

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