'Preston Davey question that must be asked – awful reality if answer's yes'
Preston Davey question that must be asked – and horrifying reality if answer's 'yes'
OPINION - LEO MCKINSTRY: He died with 40 injuries, yet had been seen by medical staff in the weeks leading up to his death.
Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied
Add us as preferred source Comments By Leo McKinstry 12:00, Fri, Jun 19, 2026 Updated: 12:01, Fri, Jun 19, 2026 
Supporters of political correctness pretend it is a harmless method of promoting mutual respect. But this is disingenuous in the extreme. At its worst, it subverts morality, protects the cruel and targets the vulnerable, as happened in the notorious grooming scandal where the state – desperate to maintain the illusion of multicultural harmony – covered up mass abuse by Pakistani gangs. Could a similar ideological impulse have been at work in the harrowing case of Preston Davey, whose tragically brief life was filled with torture? As an infant, he was removed from his mother’s care after she was imprisoned for murder. Preston was first handed over to a foster family, then adopted by a gay couple: sales manager John McGowan-Fazakerley and teacher James Varley.
But behind their veneer of professionalism, Varley and his partner conducted a reign of terror against the child, who died aged 13 months, having suffered more than 40 injuries. Both were convicted this week, and a formal investigation has been established by Oldham Council into the case. Given that Preston was regularly seen by medical staff and social workers during home visits or admissions to hospital, this inquiry must frankly address this question: did fears about accusations of homophobia inhibit the authorities from intervening to protect Preston? If so, another innocent life will have been sacrificed on the altar of dogma.
Get the latest politics news - straight from our team in Westminster and more Invalid emailWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
How the Tories could soon be back in business
- Andy Burnham bombshell as he's reported to police on eve of key Makerfield by-election
- Politics LIVE: Voters in Makerfield decide the fates of Andy Burnham and Keir Starmer
There is a strange paradox about the Tories. Their poll ratings are dismal. Their performances in recent elections have been disastrous. Yet the increasingly self-confident, articulate Kemi Badenoch enjoys the highest ratings of any party leader.
Her powerful contributions in the Commons have helped to demolish Sir Starmer’s authority, just as her forensic analysis of Peter Mandelson’s appointment as UK Ambassador to Washington turned this episode from a drama into a political crisis. If her party could match her effectiveness, the Conservatives would soon be back in business.
That'll do it...
England’s World Cup campaign got off to a magnificent start with their 4-2 win against Croatia. In 1970 England were also going well until disaster struck on the eve of their quarter final against West Germany as Gordon Banks – widely regarded as the world’s greatest goalkeeper – had to withdraw with a stomach bug.
His place was taken by Peter Bonetti, whose nervousness plunged England to defeat. This month a lengthy BBC documentary aired the longstanding conspiracy theory that the CIA had deliberately poisoned Banks to clear England out of the contest and ensure the ultimate victory of Brazil whose military government was close to the Agency.
But, as I found when researching the 1970 campaign, the truth was more prosaic. According to the England team doctor Neil Phillips, it was a dodgy hotel sandwich from room service that did for Banks, not a sinister agent.
Vote Labour... but you're banned from chatbots!
The Government has just announced heavy restrictions of social media by young people. Among the measures will be a ban on under-18 year olds using romantic “chatbot” companions generated by artificial intelligence. Doesn’t this step make a mockery of Labour’s plan to extend the franchise to 16 and 17 year olds? If they can’t be trusted with a “chatbot” why should they have a say in the governance of our country?
A special sort of lunacy!
A report from the Taxpayers' Alliance reveals that the budgets of nine environmental quangos have gone up by 150% in the last decade. There is tremendous bureaucratic waste and duplication going on here, a problem worsened by the quangocrats’ bizarre decisions like the demand from Natural England for a cull of Dartmoor ponies in the name of biodiversity, even though pony numbers have fallen in recent years. It takes a special sort of official lunacy to seek the destruction of an already endangered species.
Do Labour not understand the implication here?
The Government has just announced heavy restrictions of social media by young people. Among the measures will be a ban on under-18 year olds using romantic “chatbot” companions generated by artificial intelligence. Doesn’t this step make a mockery of Labour’s plan to extend the franchise to 16 and 17 year olds? If they can’t be trusted with a “chatbot” why should they have a say in the governance of our country?
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
