Good Morning Britain viewers were left heartbroken as a social worker guest discussed the Preston Davey case, clashing with Richard Madeley and Ranvir Singh after claiming she was being 'attacked'.
The ITV breakfast show returned on Thursday, June 18, with presenters Richard Madeley and Ranvir Singh, who invited a social worker into the studio to examine the devastating death of baby Preston Davey.
The 13-month-old passed away in July 2023, with teacher Jamie Varley, who had adopted him, convicted of sexually abusing and murdering him. His partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, who had also adopted the infant, has been convicted of sexual assault, child cruelty and allowing the death of a child. Both men are due to be sentenced on Thursday.
Clash Over Social Worker Accountability
During the discussion on Good Morning Britain, a guest challenged the presenters, claiming they were 'attacking' her while she stood up for the work carried out by social workers.
Richard questioned: 'The council have said a safeguarding review is now underway, I have to say, how many times have we heard statements like that after cases like this?'
The guest responded: 'Do you know what, sometimes I come on these programmes and I'm in this position, and you're attacking me, saying why don't social workers do that?'
Richard insisted: 'I'm not attacking you, I promise,' but the guest pressed on: 'They are working together these agencies. If the medics are saying, and I'm not purporting blame to anyone, but if they're saying, this is a non-accidental injury which is what happened in this case.'
Debate on Social Worker Authority
As Ranvir questioned whether social workers ought to be granted more authority, or even equal power to medical professionals in such situations, the guest responded: 'It's a medical view... but to be clear, it's the court that makes the decision on these things, about where children should be living.'
'If social workers went against medical advice, they went to the judge, they say, 'We think this is non-accidental,' but the medics are saying, 'We're not saying it is,' the court is not going to listen to the social worker.'
As the discussion drew to an end, Richard stated: 'We weren't attacking you at all.'
The guest carried on defending social workers, saying: 'Social workers are good people who are doing their very best to keep children safe. We will never stop people killing their children unfortunately.'
Viewer Reactions
Viewers were devastated as the case was examined on Good Morning Britain, with one individual posting: 'This story breaks my heart. That poor baby I really can't get over how a human can be so cruel and evil. Scum of the earth.'
Someone else commented: 'Heartbreaking #gmb about the child who was killed, social workers take away kids for a lot less why didn't they protect this one?'
Another posted 'heartbreaking', while somebody else remarked: 'Pleaseeee stop showing pictures of Baby Preston @GMB #GMB it's too upsetting. This poor child. I feel so enraged by this story.'
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV1 and ITVX at 6am.
