A couple campaigning to reform the UK’s surrogacy laws say they have been subjected to a flood of abusive and homophobic messages in the aftermath of the Preston Davey case, highlighting what they describe as a disturbing backlash against same-sex parents.
Adam Frisby and Jamie Corbett, who welcomed their daughter Leven through surrogacy earlier this year, revealed that they received more than 1,000 hostile messages within just 24 hours following widespread media coverage of the sentencing of Jamie Varley and John McGowan-Fazakerley.
The couple say they have been unfairly targeted by individuals drawing comparisons between their family and the horrific crimes committed against baby Preston Davey, a case that has shocked Britain and generated national outrage.
A Case That Horrified the Nation
The abuse directed at Frisby and Corbett emerged shortly after the conclusion of the Preston Davey murder trial.
Former teacher Jamie Varley was sentenced to a whole-life order after being convicted of sexually abusing and murdering 13-month-old Preston Davey, a child he and his partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, had been in the process of adopting.
McGowan-Fazakerley was sentenced to 25 years in prison after being convicted of child cruelty, sexual assault, and allowing Preston’s death.
The case sparked widespread public anger due to the severity of the abuse and the failures that allowed it to continue despite multiple interactions with healthcare professionals and social workers.
As details of the trial emerged, many people across the country expressed heartbreak and outrage over what happened to Preston.
However, according to Frisby and Corbett, some individuals have used the tragedy as an opportunity to attack same-sex parents and families.
“The Abuse Has Been Disturbing”
In an emotional video shared on Instagram, Adam Frisby spoke candidly about the impact the messages have had on him and his family.
Visibly upset, he emphasized that he and his husband were deeply affected by Preston’s case and shared the same horror and sadness felt by much of the public.
“What happened to baby Preston is so tragic and so disturbing that it’s affected everyone, including me and Jamie,” he said.
Frisby made it clear that he strongly condemns the crimes committed against Preston and expressed sympathy for the child’s family.
“I hope those two rot in hell,” he said.
Despite sharing the public’s outrage over the case, Frisby explained that he was shocked by the number of hateful messages his family received in its aftermath.
“The level of abuse we have received for being gay dads is pretty disturbing,” he said.
According to Frisby, many of the messages suggested that his daughter should be “protected” from him and Corbett simply because they are a same-sex couple.
Others reportedly attacked the campaign they have been leading to reform surrogacy laws in the United Kingdom.
A Family Under the Spotlight
Frisby and Corbett became parents earlier this year when their daughter Leven was born through a surrogate.
Since then, the couple have been vocal advocates for reforming surrogacy legislation, arguing that intended parents should be recognized as a child’s legal parents from birth.
Under current UK law, the surrogate who gives birth to the child is considered the legal parent at birth, even if she has no biological connection to the baby.
As a result, intended parents must go through an additional legal process after the child’s birth to obtain parental rights.
Frisby and Corbett argue that the system is outdated and places unnecessary stress on families.
Earlier this year, they launched a petition calling for legislative reform.
The campaign quickly gained traction and attracted national attention.
Within just 48 hours, the petition gathered more than 100,000 signatures, surpassing the threshold required for consideration by Parliament.
The petition is now expected to be debated by lawmakers.
When Public Debate Turns Personal
The couple say they understand that people have strong feelings about child protection following the Preston Davey case.
However, they argue that using one horrific crime to generalize about all same-sex parents is both unfair and harmful.
Supporters of the couple have echoed those concerns, pointing out that child abuse cases occur across all family structures and that sexual orientation does not determine someone’s ability to be a loving or responsible parent.
Many people online rallied around Frisby and Corbett after they spoke publicly about the abuse.
Messages of support poured in from parents, advocacy groups, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Several commenters noted that the crimes committed against Preston were the actions of specific individuals and should not be used to stigmatize an entire group of parents.
Others expressed concern that the emotional impact of high-profile criminal cases can sometimes fuel misinformation and prejudice.
The Wider Debate Around Surrogacy
The controversy has also reignited discussions about surrogacy laws in the UK.
Current legislation has been criticized by some legal experts and family advocacy groups who argue that it does not reflect modern family structures.
Supporters of reform believe intended parents should be recognized as legal parents from the moment a child is born, particularly in cases where there is a biological connection.
Critics, however, argue that any changes to surrogacy law should be carefully considered to ensure the rights of all parties involved, including surrogates and children.
The upcoming parliamentary debate is expected to explore these issues in greater detail.
For Frisby and Corbett, however, the conversation is deeply personal.
They say their campaign has always been focused on providing greater legal certainty for families created through surrogacy.
They never anticipated becoming the target of widespread online abuse.
Looking Ahead
Despite the backlash, the couple say they remain committed to their campaign and hope the public conversation can move beyond prejudice.
Frisby has emphasized that his family’s experience should not overshadow the tragedy suffered by Preston Davey and those who loved him.
The case remains one of the most shocking child murder cases in recent British history, and calls for reforms to safeguarding systems continue.
At the same time, Frisby and Corbett hope people will recognize that grief, outrage, and the pursuit of justice should not be used as justification for attacking unrelated families.
As Parliament prepares to consider their petition, the couple say their focus remains on raising their daughter and continuing their efforts to change the law.
For them, the past few days have served as a reminder of both the support and hostility that can emerge during emotionally charged national conversations.
While they acknowledge that public debate is inevitable, they believe no family should face harassment simply because of who they are.
And as discussions surrounding surrogacy, adoption, and child protection continue across the UK, they hope their daughter’s future will be shaped by understanding, fairness, and compassion rather than fear and division.