A teacher accused of murdering his adopted baby angrily denied harming or sexually abusing him when confronted by police, a court has heard. Jamie Varley, 37, is accused of killing 13-month-old Preston Davey, and faces 25 further charges of sexually and physically assaulting the child. The defendant's video interview with detectives was shown to the jury at Preston Crown Court on Tuesday, in which he was heard telling officers: "I have not done it. I will fight you 'til the day I die." His partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, is also accused of sexual assault, of causing or allowing the death of the child, and four other offences. Both men, from Blackpool, deny all charges. The baby was rushed to a Blackpool hospital on 27 July 2023 by the defendants after an alleged final sexual assault by Varley. The couple had adopted the child four months previously. Doctors worked for nearly an hour to resuscitate the child, but could not save him. Varley said he had left the child alone in the bath for three or four minutes before he returned and that the baby had drowned. However, during the police interview, officers presented him with the post-mortem examination findings of Home Office pathologist Dr Alison Armour. Dr Armour concluded Preston had not drowned but was the victim of "abusive trauma, non-accidental injuries and sexual abuse". In the footage, the detective tells Varley that the pathologist also found the injuries to the baby suggest he was sexually assaulted shortly before his death. "You are absolutely wrong," Varley replies. The post-mortem examination also found bruises to Preston's forehead, back of throat, mouth and bottom, as well as bleeding in the lungs. When asked to explain the bruising found, Varley responds with "no comment". It is alleged that the baby was routinely ill-treated, sexually abused, physically assaulted and had indecent images and videos taken of him. His cause of death was given as an upper airway obstruction, leading to his collapse by a deliberate act of smothering, or an object or objects inserted into his mouth. "I'm going to suggest you have killed Preston," the officer says in the footage. The defendant, raising his voice, replies: "I have not done it. I will fight you 'til the day I die. I know you are wrong. I have not done it." Earlier, the officer put to Varley the series of images and videos taken of the baby as evidence of alleged cruelty or indecency. They include one video lasting 14 minutes and 31 seconds where Preston is left alone in a bath. Varley said he set his phone up to record and was on the landing out of sight "to see how he reacts to his own company". The officer asks Varley: "How do you explain that, Jamie? He's slipped, whimpering, I would describe him as distressed. Why not go to comfort him? "Have you left him in the bath because you are fed up with him?" Varley replies: "I was keeping an eye on him. He's not distressed. There was no intent to hurt him." When asked about intimate videos and photos of the child found on his phone, which prosecutors allege are indecent images, Varley responds: "Unlike you, I don't think about his genitals 24/7. "You are making a mountain out of a molehill. It's totally innocent, it's ridiculous. You have got it now as if I'm a bloody pervert. "That's your job I guess."Read more from Sky News:Ship operator and employee charged over Baltimore bridge collapseNBA's first openly gay player dies Last week, the court was shown footage of Varley and his mother in the hospital's bereavement room, where he was described as "hysterical" as medics asked him to come to the child's bedside. Varley denies murder, manslaughter, two counts of assault by penetration, five counts of cruelty to a child, grievous bodily harm, sexual assault of a child, 13 counts of taking indecent photos or videos of a child, one of distributing an indecent photo of a child to his co-accused, and one of making an indecent photo. McGowan-Fazakerley denies allowing the death of a child, three counts of child cruelty and one count of the sexual assault of a child. The trial was adjourned until Wednesday morning.

Noam Bettan performed his song Michelle during the first semi-final on Tuesday night. He was given a mixed reception at the Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, Austria, with some of the audience shouting and booing during the song's quieter moments. Footage given to Sky News shows two protesters - one with Free Palestine written on his chest - in the crowd close to the stage, with at least one demonstrator being dragged away.Eurovision fan Christian Lockyer told Sky News' Katie Spencer that he saw "two tubes of glue on the floor" and "a handprint on the barrier". After his song, the 28-year-old told the crowd: "Thank you so much." It comes after an interruption attempt during Israel's 2025 performance at Eurovision, when two protesters unsuccessfully tried to storm the stage and throw paint during Yuval Raphael's song. Bettan, wearing a black leather outfit, performed inside a large golden diamond, surrounded by female dancers in black and white bodysuits and white boots. Several protests have reportedly taken place in the Austrian capital this week over Israel's inclusion in the song contest following the war in Gaza, with Ireland, Iceland, the Netherlands, Spain and Slovenia all boycotting the event. Israel's participation in last year's contest was followed by allegations that voting had been manipulated in Raphael's favour. The singer received the largest number of votes from the public at the 2025 event, held in Basel, Switzerland, in May, but ultimately finished as runner-up to Austria's entry after the jury votes were counted. Following the controversy, the European Broadcasting Union announced last November that it was changing its voting system, which includes clearer rules around the promotion of artists and their songs, the cap on audience voting being halved, the return of professional juries to semi-finals and enhanced security safeguards. How the contest is shaping up Portugal, Georgia, Montenegro, Estonia and San Marino were the five countries eliminated from the contest during the first semi-final, with Greece, Finland, Belgium, Sweden, Moldova, Serbia, Croatia, Lithuania and Poland progressing to the final alongside Israel. UK entrant Look Mum No Computer, whose real name is Sam Battle, said that people can "express their opinions" at the song contest. Read more: UK's Eurovision act to feature 'mega synthesiser' Asked about the impact that protests against Israel's participation could have, Battle said: "People can be themselves, and they can also express their opinions, and they can do that this year because the canned audience is unedited, so we've just got to see what goes on… "The audience isn't controlled; the audience [participates] with the microphones. They're allowed to wave whatever flags within the sizing rules and the flammability rules and stuff, so we've just got to get on with it." Battle is due to represent the UK at the second semi-final on Thursday.

Speaking on the Electoral Dysfunction podcast, Baroness Harman said Sir Keir should bring back the Greater Manchester mayor into his top team - after the PM previously blocked Mr Burnham from becoming an MP earlier this year. The prime minister is currently fighting to save his premiership, with more than 80 Labour MPs calling for him to go, while multiple junior ministers have resigned. Politics latest - follow live In a special episode of the podcast, the Labour peer told Sky News' political editor Beth Rigby that the potential leadership rival would help the prime minister to form "a team of all the talents". She said: "Andy Burnham, of course, can't be doing a coup at this point, or at least mounting a leadership challenge, because he's not an MP. And you can't challenge for the leadership of the Labour Party unless you're an MP. "But actually, if we're looking at having a team of all the talents when the country's facing terrible odds and the Labour Party has got a cloud hanging over it, clearly Andy is part of the solution to that. "And could it be that that Keir Starmer could say, 'actually, we need all the people in cabinet to be the very best people for the country. And that includes Andy Burnham. And I'm going to call him back in and he's going to be part of my government'." Read more:UK seizes thousands from US gangsterBorrowing coats hit decades-long high Members of the cabinet do not technically need to be MPs or peers, though convention dictates that this has almost always been the case in modern British political history. There have been examples of politicians who are members of neither the Lords nor the Commons attending cabinet, such as Gordon Walker in 1964. Civil servants and special advisers also routinely attend cabinet meetings - though they do not take part in discussions. Challenged on the idea of returning Mr Burnham to the cabinet, Baroness Harman responded: "Well, if he can construct a sense that the cabinet is there to support the prime minister to do the best for the country in very difficult circumstances, if he can really build that sense, then why on earth would he not have Andy Burnham as part of that? "He has got huge talents, [Sir Keir has] brought back Gordon Brown to add some help and some heft." She added that "nobody wants chaos", however at the moment "there's instability, but there's no endgame". Baroness Harman continued: "I just think that it's one thing having a big, internecine, factional contest when you're in opposition, but it's quite different when you're in government because you've got a job to do of running the country." She also warned that if Labour changes leader, it will lead to calls from opposition parties for a general election, causing "further instability". The peer explained that if Sir Keir was replaced: "Then Nigel Farage would say, 'yes, this election last week - it showed that the public want change. But they don't want change from Keir Starmer to Andy Burnham or Keir Starmer to West Streeting. They want change from Keir Starmer to Nigel Farage. They want me. So we must have a general election. This new person - you had no chance to have a say in choosing them. This is just the elites changing the people sitting in the top chairs'. "Therefore, he would be starting to call for a general election because you haven't had a say. So I think there would be further instability."

But it is also possible that the commission decides Southampton are guilty of no offence, and that the charge is dismissed. There is a whole range of possible punishments in between those two extremes. The timing of the hearing is down to the commission, but Sky Sports News has been told that the commission is fully aware of the expediency needed at this stage of the season, with the Championship play-off final taking place on May 23, live on Sky Sports. Emotional Boro boss Hellberg hits out at 'disgraceful spying'Report & highlights: Southampton 2-1 Middlesbrough - Agg 2-1 (AET)Got Sky? Watch the EFL play-offs on the Sky Sports appNot got Sky? Stream the EFL play-offs with no contract If the commission decides to impose a sporting sanction, it might be that the punishment is held over to the start of next season. The key considerations for the commission are: is there enough evidence to establish wrongdoing? And is that wrongdoing worthy of a significant sporting sanction? In essence, does the punishment fit the crime? Would it be a fair outcome if Southampton were denied possible promotion to the Premier League, with all the kudos and financial gain that brings, based on this alleged wrongdoing? The commission has the independence and freedom to impose whatever sanction they deem appropriate, and that could be anything from a charge dismissed, a slap on the wrist, a monetary fine, a sporting sanction, or even a sporting sanction which costs Southampton their place in the play-offs. If the commission does not impose a sporting sanction, the timing of the play-offs is irrelevant. But we are in uncharted territory here. Yes, there is the precedent of what happened with Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds United in 2019, whereby the club was fined £200,000, but the EFL rules have been changed as a result of that. Rule 3.4 has been in place for many years - whereby clubs have to always deal with each other "in good faith" - that was the charge levelled at Leeds, that they had not done so. But since 2019, rule 127 has been in place, which expressly prohibits any club from observing, or attempting to observe, another club's training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match. Southampton have been charged with breaching both rules 3.4 and 127. Southampton beat Boro 2-1 at St Mary's after extra-time on Tuesday to reach the Wembley showpiece, where Tonda Eckert's side are set to face Hull after their semi-final victory over Millwall. Sky Sports News has been told the EFL and the commission are aware that there are three teams with a vested interest in the resolution of this matter - Southampton, Middlesbrough and Hull, and that it is not just a matter of two of those teams being prepared to take part in the play-off final, but also the fans of the clubs, ticket sales, travel and other logistics need to be organised in good time too. That is why everyone wants a quick resolution to this, but the matter is in the hands of the independent commission and outside the EFL's control. Despite the ongoing investigation and the threat of being thrown out of the play-offs, Southampton are pressing ahead with plans for the play-off final. They have posted on X that information about tickets will be released on Wednesday afternoon, and tickets will go on sale on Thursday. What are Boro's plans after loss to Saints? Sky Sports News' Keith Downie: Middlesbrough players are due to report back to their training ground on Thursday as planned. The idea was always to give the players Wednesday off, and then return on Thursday for a debrief on the semi-final. Had they reached the final, they would have been given the weekend off before reconvening on Monday to begin preparations for the play-off final. In the event of Boro being eliminated, the players and staff would have been off on holiday from Friday. But that is up in the air at the moment as the independent commission looks into the charge against Southampton. Emotional Boro boss Hellberg hits out at 'disgraceful spying' Boro boss Kim Hellberg said the 'Spygate' saga that overshadowed the Championship play-off semi-final defeat to Southampton was "disgraceful" and "breaks my heart". The Swede said: "I worked 15 years as a coach, trying to get to the Premier League. That's my dream for 15 years," he said in his post-match press conference. "I know there are clubs with bigger resources or parachute payments that can spend more money. There are teams that have bigger squads than us, teams that have more money to spend. "What you have as a coach and a group is the tactical element of the game where we can beat the opponent and I think that's what everyone loves about the game. That's why I look at England and think it's the home of football, where I want to be, what I'm dreaming about. You're so proud of your football and I think that's absolutely amazing, that's why I wanted to be here. "When you have more money and all those things, you try to find a way to get an advantage, that's the way I try to go with my team. That's what you always try to do, because we can be better in that element. "Alex Neil said a very good thing after the (Millwall) game. He said 'I think I let people down as we haven't won'. In that way, he said he had let people down. That's often the feeling a coach goes home with because you think, what I could control was the tactical aspect of the game or helping my players more. "When you have done that and, for a week or two weeks up to this game, put every second away from your family to watch Southampton every game you can to try to gain the advantage that we can actually get, if we wouldn't have caught that man they sent up on a five-hour drive, you would sit there and say, well done, maybe, in the tactical aspect of the game and I would go home and feel like I had failed in that aspect I had to help my players with. "When that is taken away from you in that way, when someone decides: 'No, we're not going to watch every game. We'll send someone instead and film the session and see everything and hope we don't get caught'. I guess that was why they were switching clothes and all those things. "It breaks my heart in terms of all those things I believe in. That's the thing. "I don't care if there are other rules in different countries. This is England where football is the biggest thing. "That's my feelings about it. I think it's disgraceful. It makes me very sad." Asked if he believed Tonda Eckert knew of the alleged 'spying', Hellberg said, simply: "I cannot answer. No comment." Eckert walks out again Southampton boss Tonda Eckert, meanwhile, again walked out of his post-match press conference over 'Spygate' questions, having done so after Saturday's goalless draw at the Riverside Stadium. Eckert stormed out when the second question of Tuesday's post-match press conference was: "Are you a cheat?" The press officer who accompanied him swiftly shut it down and told the journalist in question to "show some respect".

Ross David Cutmore, from Dunfermline in Fife, shared information about the Ukrainian military in return for payment, after being recruited to work as a Russian spy. The Ukrainian prosecutor general's office said Cutmore "acted out of selfish motives and with the intent to transmit this data to the aggressor country". Cutmore was jailed for eight-and-a-half years after admitting his guilt in a plea deal at the Kyiv district court of Odesa on 30 April. According to prosecutors, Cutmore arrived in the country in January 2024 and ran classes for Ukrainian service personnel in the city of Mykolaiv. In September that year, he moved to Odesa, where he established contact with a member of the Russian special services and agreed to send military information in return for payment. In May 2025, a probe by the Ukrainian security service (SBU) found Cutmore had transmitted the coordinates of Ukrainian units, photographs of a training area, and information that could lead to the identification of service personnel. He was also found to have collected data on facilities in Odesa and "discussed the possibility of using explosive devices, and attempted to gain access to the command of military units". Read more from Sky News:Putin says Russia will deploy 'most powerful' nuclear missile this year One of the tasks is said to have netted him $6,000 (£4,500). The spy also possessed a Makarov pistol and combat cartridges, which he is said to have acquired and stored illegally. Cutmore was exposed and detained in October 2025. In March 2026, prosecutors submitted an indictment to the court, along with a plea agreement. A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson said: "We are providing consular assistance to a British man who is detained in Ukraine. "We remain in close contact with the Ukrainian authorities."

Look Mum No Computer, real name Sam Battle, will take the stage in Vienna, Austria, to perform his song Eins, Zwei, Drei in front of millions this week. Speaking to the Press Association ahead of the semi-finals, Battle said he was "really excited" to take part – but admitted it was "a lot of work" given he's just become a dad. He joked that if he were not gearing up for Vienna, he would be "probably changing my newborn baby's nappy". "I'm really proud of what we've pulled together and can't wait to put it into practice," Battle added. "Working with (choreographer Fredrik Rydman) has been brilliant; he's a really cool guy and has been pushing the boundaries of what we want to do up on that stage. "It's going to make for a really interesting live performance." Battle also promises a "mega synthesiser" built especially for his performance, although he added some of his plans did not come to fruition, as he did not think the BBC "trusted my welding". "I don't want to give it all away, so you'll have to tune in to see me when I perform on the Eurovision stage for the first time at Thursday's semi-final," he said. Who is Sam Battle? Since beginning his YouTube career in 2013, the Lincolnshire-born musician has amassed more than 85 million views and 1.4 million combined subscribers and followers across all social media platforms. Battle has become known for his videos about making and playing unusual electronic music equipment, having made an organ out of Furby toys, fused a synthesiser with a Raleigh Chopper bicycle, and made a triple oscillator synthesiser out of Nintendo Game Boy consoles. He has won the support of long-time Eurovision host Graham Norton, who told the BBC: "The song is different to anything else we've ever entered, and I can really imagine the whole arena getting behind it." Read more from Sky News:Should this kitchen product be banned?British Steel to be nationalised, says Starmer But does it stand a chance of winning? "Never say never," Norton joked, noting that the UK last won the coveted competition in 1997's Love Shine A Light by Katrina And The Waves. This year's edition of the song contest – the 70th anniversary – has seen controversy, though. Last year, Iceland, the Netherlands, Spain, Ireland and Slovenia all announced their withdrawal from Eurovision 2026 over Israel's participation in the competition. It came after a vote on whether members were happy with tougher new rules introduced in November – following claims of Israeli government "interference" in last year's contest. The majority agreed the changes were enough and Israel's place was confirmed. Israeli national broadcaster KAN described attempts to remove them as a "cultural boycott". Battle will represent the UK at the 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest this week, with the final set to take place at Vienna's Wiener Stadthalle on 16 May. The semi-finals will take place on 12 and 14 May.

No Description

Formal discussions are expected to begin before United's final game at Brighton on May 24. United's bosses have not completely ruled out the possibility of someone else taking charge for next season, and they have reached out to other possible candidates, but the club hierarchy has decided Carrick is the man they want to talk to first. Have your say on Carrick potentially being given the Man Utd job permanently Merson: Liverpool will finish above Man Utd next seasonMan Utd news & transfers🔴 | Man Utd fixtures & scoresGot Sky? Watch Man Utd games LIVE on your phone📱Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW📺 The former Manchester United midfielder has been the frontrunner for the role for some time now, with his bosses impressed by his popularity with the playing squad, his handling of the media, his inherent understanding of the heritage and size of the football club - but also, crucially, the results he has achieved on the pitch. In his 15 games in charge, he has won 10 and drawn three, and he has also guaranteed Champions League football for next season, and a potential £100m boost to revenue as a result of that. So, Carrick has delivered all that was asked of him and more, and in those circumstances, it was always hard to see how United could give the job to someone else. Nevertheless, United have been determined to hold a rigorous recruitment process rather than a coronation, and whilst there has been constant dialogue between Carrick and his bosses, formal talks over the terms of any contract have yet to begin. But it is understood that this will happen within days, and it is thought there should not be any significant difficulty for the two sides reaching an agreement on the legal details. Nev analyses why Carrick is in 'pole position' for job Gary Neville speaking about Carrick's future after the 3-2 win over Liverpool: "He's put himself in pole position with what he's done. There are things that have emerged that will give Manchester United fans comfort that they are in safe hands. "Manchester United need some stability. They've not had that for the last few years, but he will bring that in the sense that everyone trusts him."Fans like him, the players obviously like him. The owners will trust him. Next year, he's got 55-60 games with the Champions League, and surely they won't go out in the first rounds of the cup competitions. Then it's all a different level of management and scrutiny. It's a lot more challenging. Does he have the experience? Does he have the body of work to rely upon?"Some people say: 'Why don't you give him a one-year contract and give him a further year to stabilise things further?' I don't think I can argue with that."But if a world-class manager became available who has won titles, Manchester United should probably pursue that route because the last five managers have not had that super club experience. Michael would be another who hasn't quite got that." Players have publicly backed Carrick for job A host of Manchester United players have publicly backed Carrick to be given the job permanently. Amad Diallo said earlier this month that everyone in the dressing room would be happy to see Carrick stay on as head coach next season. "Honestly, it's not the player who decides who is going to stay here next season, but what I can say [is] everyone is happy to have him as manager," the United winger told Sky Sports. "Everyone is with him. "He's that manager who has a good relationship with every player so we are really happy to have him as manager and, yeah, we will be happy if we have him next season as manager." The Ivory Coast international added: "Even when you are in tough moments, he's there to talk to you, he's there to help you. "The biggest change maybe is because the team is now more impactful. Like in the dressing room, we are really together. "Every mistake is not a problem, your mistake is my mistake, so we are a team that doesn't care if you do a mistake, you go again, so we go forward, we want to win as a team. "That's something that changed the team, and I think it's also because of Michael Carrick and his staff - don't forget also Trav [coach Travis Binnion] and the other staff. "They are really important for the team and they bring that kind of energy to the team, and that is very important." Kobbie Mainoo, who has been among those to flourish under Carrick, claimed players "want to die for" him following United's 3-2 victory against Liverpool. Matheus Cunha and departing Casemiro have also backed him for the job. 'Carrick has earned the chance to manage Man Utd' Sky Sports News' Rob Dorsett: Michael Carrick has been the frontrunner for the job for some time. They have been hugely impressed with the job he had done but crucially, it's the results on the pitch that have convinced the Old Trafford hierarchy to open talks. He has done all that has been asked of him and more in his short time in the dugout at United. But I don't think Carrick getting the job was a given, he has earned the right with the job he has done. Manchester United have spoken to the representatives of other candidates and I expect those names to be Thomas Tuchel, Carlo Ancelotti, Julien Nagelsmann and Luis Enrique, but those candidates have somewhat fallen by the wayside. Tuchel signed a new deal with England, Ancelotti the same with Brazil and we expect Luis Enrique to stay at PSG, so United's options were narrowing at a time Carrick was firmly putting his hand up for thew job and showing he was the right man for the job. Those two things combined have led to where we are today. I expect talks to start within days, and we could get an announcement before the end of the season. It is inevitable that Carrick is Manchester United's next permanent manager. Is Carrick the best man for the job? Sky Sports' Will Bitibiri: Whichever way INEOS will go will be a big call. On one hand you have Carrick, a club legend who has been the catalyst behind Manchester United's revival since January. Not only have United won big games and fans been treated to huge moments under Carrick, there's been a nostalgic, sometimes Fergie-like feeling to it all. If United fans could choose who to be successful under, it would be Carrick. He's the 'Manchester United man' but United have tried that before in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Fans felt good for the most part under the Norwegian but no tangible success followed. The problem is whether he is the most likely to bring success back to Old Trafford. The likes of Julian Nagelsmann and Luis Enrique have been mooted while Oliver Glasner and Andoni Iraola will be available this summer. Is the emotion attached to Carrick blinding logic? United will enter the Champions League and their form would suggest the playing squad can challenge the top two. The permanent job at Old Trafford will come with more pressure, scrutiny and expectation. Carrick has done an admirable job so far, but there has to be a distinction between someone who knows which buttons to push in the short term and the best person to lead United back to sustained success. Carrick might be the most 'Manchester United man' for the job when fans want to feel nostalgic, but that doesn't necessarily mean he's the best for the job. Your views: Contrasting opinion on Carrick... Dale: How can you not give it to Carrick? The players are all behind the manager. Bringing someone else in would upset the dressing room. StefanL: Big mistake. Apart from the first two games, the football has been dreadful. Would put money on being in the bottom half by Christmas. Sam D: Good decision. Utd need to keep building on what Carrick has done, and getting someone else in may just ruin that. Back him in the summer window. Ryan: Carrick has done brilliantly, but there's no reason for him to get the job when there's better candidates out there. The Sunderland performance should have raised alarm bells. And by mid-January we will be looking for yet another interim manager because he will be sacked. Have your say on Carrick potentially being given the Man Utd job permanently Keith p: I love Carrick. He's done us all proud but is he really ready for the Champions League? Why not go all out for Luis Enrique? Ant: It may not be an exciting choice, but it is the right choice. Must pundits though Utd would finish no higher than 8th this season. To finish top-four, Carrick has done a fantastic job. JoshOpray: His man management is Fergie-like. The entire dressing room love him and will play for him no matter what. That's such a huge factor in football that can't be overlooked. Why not give him a chance! Bob L: I hope it isnot a repeat of what happened to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. One good season as interim boss, then struggle next season as permanent boss, eventually being sacked.