“We are operating in a political ecosystem where attention is the most valuable currency, and attention is not won through careful, methodical argument alone.”

Sorcha Eastwood knows exactly what she is doing and, for the most part, it is working.

Unless you have been living under a rock, you will have seen the Alliance Lagan Valley MP cutting through the noise in the House of Commons with a series of pointed, emotionally charged interventions on the Peter Mandelson scandal. The clips have travelled far beyond Westminster’s usual audience, racking up views, shares and commentary at a pace most politicians can only envy. That reach has brought with it an unusual coalition of praise, from mainstream observers to figures on the political fringes such as Tommy Robinson and Fox News commentator T. J. McCormick. That alone should give pause for thought, but it should not obscure what is actually happening here.

Sorcha Eastwood’s performances in the chamber are, undeniably, performances. The clip that first caught widespread attention, where she declared herself “indignant” and “outraged” at the Prime Minister’s handling of the affair, was delivered with the kind of intensity that felt closer to political theatre than procedural scrutiny. It was reminiscent, in tone if not in context, of the firebrand style associated with Bernadette Devlin in her early parliamentary days. I do not make that comparison lightly as it speaks to a tradition in Northern Irish politics where rhetoric is used as a tool for disruption. The uncomfortable truth is that disruption is now the point.

We are operating in a political ecosystem where attention is the most valuable currency, and attention is not won through careful, methodical argument alone. It is won through sharp, emotive, easily digestible moments that can be clipped, shared and consumed in seconds. Sorcha Eastwood understands this better than most. The cadence, the phrasing, the controlled flashes of indignation are not incidental. They are calibrated for an audience that increasingly experiences politics not through Hansard, but through a phone screen. That does not make it dishonest. But it does make it different.

There is a tendency, particularly among more traditional observers, to dismiss this style as superficial or even cynical. At Stormont, Edwin Poots has already raised concerns about MLAs delivering what he describes as “pre-scripted” contributions designed primarily for social media rather than genuine debate. The implication is that something essential is being lost when political speech is shaped with the algorithm in mind.

He is not entirely wrong. There is a risk that substance becomes secondary to delivery, that complex issues are flattened into viral soundbites, and that the chamber itself becomes little more than a backdrop for content creation. But the critique often stops short of acknowledging a more fundamental shift as the audience has moved and politics has followed.

If you want a message to land now, it has to travel. And to travel, it has to engage. I have seen this dynamic play out first-hand. Clips of parliamentary contributions, many of them from Sorcha Eastwood, have reached hundreds of thousands of viewers within hours on my own TikTok account, which has a relatively modest following. That level of engagement would have been unthinkable a decade ago for a backbench intervention. It changes the incentives, it changes how politicians communicate, and, crucially, it changes who is actually listening. In that context, theatricality is undoubtedly a strategy.

The question, then, shifts from whether politicians should perform to how far that performance should go. There is a line which is often blurred between emphasis and exaggeration and between clarity and distortion. When rhetoric outpaces reality, when outrage is deployed as a default rather than a measured response, the credibility that underpins effective communication erodes.

Sorcha Eastwood, to her credit, has not crossed that line in any obvious or sustained way. Her interventions, while heightened, remain anchored in a recognisable political argument. They are forceful without being incoherent, which is key as once the performance becomes the story, rather than the issue at hand, the entire exercise risks collapsing into noise.

There is also a broader political implication that should not be ignored. The amplification of these clips, particularly when they attract endorsement from figures well outside the mainstream, can create strange and sometimes uncomfortable alignments. Praise from the likes of Tommy Robinson risks reframing the message, whether intentionally or not, and places the speaker in a wider ecosystem of interpretation that they do not fully control.

Yet, for all of that, the underlying reality remains stubbornly simple. Politics that does not cut through does not register. And politics that does not register cannot influence, cannot persuade, and ultimately cannot deliver.

So yes, Sorcha Eastwood is performing. But she is performing in the service of being heard. The real challenge is not to retreat from that reality, but to navigate it with discipline. Theatricality can open the door, but it cannot carry the argument on its own. At some point, beyond the social media virality, the substance still has to stand up.

If Sorcha Eastwood and others who follow this model can maintain that balance, then this evolution in political communication may prove not just inevitable, but effective. If they cannot, then what looks like a breakthrough risks becoming little more than a well-lit distraction.

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King Charles has officially launched the UK Space Agency’s Project Nova during his Bermuda visit – an initiative to install a global network of telescopes to help track space debris

The King will bring his visit to Bermuda to a close by officially launching the UK Space Agency’s (UKSA) Project Nova, an initiative aimed at tracking space debris.

Charles will visit the site of a new UKSA observatory on the island to learn about the project, which will oversee the installation of a global network of telescopes across five sites, helping to monitor old satellites, rocket stages and other objects orbiting the Earth.

On his final day in Bermuda, the King will also officially open the new Great Bay Coast Guard Station, where he will be briefed on the Royal Bermuda Regiment’s Coast Guard’s vital role in protecting the island’s territorial waters and preserving its marine environment. He will also get a first-hand look at two new pieces of cutting-edge technology being deployed by the regiment – unmanned underwater vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles.

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Young people taking part in the Junior Leader programme will share their experiences of the scheme, and before departing, the King will present operational service medals to five regiment members in recognition of their dedication to protecting the island.

On Friday evening, the King attended a garden party, telling guests: “I am told to my amazement it is also the first time in Bermuda’s four-hundred-year history that the islands have received a reigning King.

“I am terribly sorry it has taken so long!”

The occasion was held at Government House, where the King has been residing throughout his three-day stay. The venue has been so recently refurbished that he remarked to guests that it still smells of fresh paint. Lifting a glass in honour of Bermuda at the garden party, the King declared: “I need hardly say that Bermuda, like all the Overseas Territories, is a most cherished and important member of the British family – with a friendship as solid as this so-called ‘Rock’.”

Follow our live blog for the latest updates on the King’s visit by clicking here.

Kai, now 29, was just 12 when his parents separated and he moved in with his father.

Around the same time, his father was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), leaving Kai to juggle school with increasing caring responsibilities.

From attending hospital appointments to helping with day‑to‑day care, much of the responsibility fell on him. “I grew up fast,” he recalls.

As his father’s health deteriorated, Kai became his full‑time carer. Then, months before his 18th birthday, his father died, leaving him alone and, because he was not named on the tenancy, without anywhere stable to stay. The loss forced him to handle grief, housing uncertainty and sudden independence with limited support.

Eventually, he was offered a place in a Centrepoint Independent Living Programme home, which caps rent at a third of a resident’s earnings and provides support to help young people manage money, maintain employment and sustain a tenancy. 

He recognises how challenging the decade since has been, including the loss of his father and the transition into living independently. Throughout, he has tried to rely on what he calls a “positive mental attitude”, focusing on accepting his circumstances and finding ways to move forward rather than dwelling on setbacks.

Kai says the early period of living in his one-bedroom flat was a major adjustment as he adapted to living on his own for the first time. Centrepoint provided practical support, including food vouchers, which he says made a significant difference in his first year.

Determined to build a future, he trained in security and CCTV through youth employment programmes and later secured work in building security.

At 26, he moved into his own home, a milestone he describes as life‑changing. Having a place of his own allowed him to focus on stability, routine and long-term plans.

Now Kai sits on Centrepoint’s lived experience advisory board, helping shape the charity’s support for homeless young people.

Reflecting on his journey, he says he has grown stronger and more resilient. “It’s not been easy, but I kept pushing forward. Pressure makes diamonds,” he says.

His story comes amid a wider housing crisis. Centrepoint’s 2024/25 Move On report shows more than 130,000 young people are on social housing waiting lists, and at the current rate it could take over six years to meet demand even if no new applications were made. 

Bradford Teens Premiere Self-Made Film Monster on the Big Screen

Eight Bradford teenagers saw their hard work come to life this week when their self-made short film, Monster, premiered to a local audience.

The film tells the story of how one action can ripple through a community, showing how negative experiences can spread – but also how a single positive choice can change everything. 

Over several weeks, the group learned practical skills in storytelling, teamwork, and film production and handled every aspect of filming themselves, writing the script, directing, acting and editing the final cut.

At one stage, the young filmmakers met Oscar-winning winning actor Daniel Day-Lewis and his son Ronan, who offered tips on crafting stories and making films.

The premiere also marked the completion of Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Awards for the eight participants. Three others are working towards Silver, with two more aiming to finish Bronze this year.

Matthew Sampson, Centrepoint’s Bradford operations manager, said the young people had shown creativity and determination throughout. The project was supported by Into Film, a charity that helps young people learn through film, and Pocket Projects, which guided the group through technical production skills.

“It’s exciting to see something we made on the big screen,” one participant said. “It shows that if you stick with it, you can make something real.”

For the teenagers, Monster was more than a film. The screening gave them a chance to share their story with family, friends, and the wider community- and see what they could achieve when they worked together.

Housing Shortages Leave Young People With Fewer Options, Data Shows

(Image: Centrepoint)

A new report from the charity Centrepoint, funded by Nationwide Building Society, highlights growing pressure on England’s housing system, with young people facing increasingly limited options in both social and private rented accommodation. 

“The report highlights how hard it has become for many young people to find somewhere they can truly call home.” Charlotte Kensett, Director of Social Impact and Customer Experience at Nationwide said, “By working closely with Centrepoint, we want to help young people find a place where they feel safe and where they can start to rebuild their lives with confidence.”

Social homes demand remains high relative to supply, with around 130,000 households on the housing register, although the shortfall between main duty and allocations has closed. One barrier is the lack of right-sized properties: just a quarter (24%) of homes are one bedroom, despite nearly half of young applicants needing this size.

“The government are making the right noises when it comes to prevention and support for people experiencing homelessness,” Ella Nuttal, Centrepoint’s Research Manager said, “but it’s increasing the level of housebuilding, including suitable social homes, that will transform things.”

Affordable private options are narrowing too. Alongside wider reporting of private landlords leaving the sector, the research found that the number of Houses in Multiple Occupation, often an affordable option, has fallen by 10% since 2019/20. 

Ella warns that, without more housebuilding, “Too many young people will continue facing homelessness and find themselves excluded from stable housing and the opportunity to move forward with their lives.” You can read the full report at https://centrepoint.org.uk/move 

Discrimination Leaving Young Renters Struggling for a Home

A new report from Centrepoint has found that young people across England are struggling to rent privately. Soaring rents costs have been well-documented in recent years – but the leading youth homelessness charity’s new report reveals young people felt discriminated against by landlords and letting agents when trying to access tenancies.

In a survey of young renters, one in three felt they experienced this sort of discrimination, with Employment status (37%) and ethnic or racial background (35%) reported as the main reasons.

“Young people should be able to take safe, stable housing for granted.” says Ella Nuttall, who led the research for Centrepoint “It’s the foundation for everything else in life. Without it, the risk of repeated homelessness, poor mental health, and long-term disadvantage increases.

The report urges government and councils to expand the supply of suitable social homes and improve access to private rentals for young people.

Derry face Monaghan in the Ulster Senior Football Championship semi-final – here’s the kick-off time and how to watch on TV

Derry meet Monaghan this weekend in the semi-final of the Ulster Senior Football Championship.

Derry launched their Ulster championship campaign with a winning display against Antrim. They faced pressure during certain spells of that encounter though, and must raise their standards as they confront a Monaghan outfit that represent a significantly higher calibre.

Here’s what you need to know about the game:

Where is the game being played?

Celtic Park, Derry, reports the Irish Mirror.

What time is throw-in?

The game is set to begin at 5pm on Saturday, May 2.

Can I watch the game on TV?

Yes – the match will be shown live on BBC Two NI, with streaming available via BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport online.

GAA+ is also streaming the game.

Betting odds

Derry – 1/3

Draw – 10/1

Monaghan – 10/3

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DUP leader Gavin Robinson accused Sinn Fein of being contradictory

Sinn Fein has been accused of “spoofing” over the delivery of the new A5 road. The scheme to turn the road which links Londonderry with Aughnacloy in Co Tyrone has been held up by legal challenges and uncertainty over funding. There has been a strong campaign for the new road, with the current road having seen more than 50 deaths since 2006. Sinn Fein president Mary-Lou McDonald referenced the A5 road in her speech to the party’s annual Ard Fheis last week, saying it will save lives, and that stopping this road is not acceptable. DUP leader Gavin Robinson accused Sinn Fein, which holds the Stormont Infrastructure portfolio that has responsibility for roads, of being contradictory. In his weekly letter to DUP party members, Mr Robinson claimed Sinn Fein is holding the road back.

“Sinn Fein championed that road for years. It was their flagship. Now, bound to their own net zero targets so rigid they cannot flex even where lives are at stake, they are the ones holding it back,” he said.

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Referencing a quote by Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O’Neill accusing the DUP of “spoofing” over claims Sinn Fein was not supporting the PSNI as fully as it should last week, Mr Robinson said her party is “spoofing” over the A5. “Those who have campaigned for that road – some for decades – do not need anyone to explain the irony of Michelle O’Neill accusing others of spoofing,” he said.

“They see Sinn Fein spoofing every single time they say they want this road delivered.” Mr Robinson also accused Sinn Fein of “renewing noise” around a border poll in a “familiar and tired pattern”. He said powersharing “remains the only show in town”. “Powersharing was never meant to be easy. It asks people with fundamentally different visions for this place to sit across from one another, to negotiate, to compromise, and to govern – day after day, even when trust is thin and patience thinner,” he said. “That is the design. For all its frustrations, it remains the only show in town. “But it only works if the relationships within it are taken seriously. Delivering the A5. Cutting waiting lists. Fixing roads. None of that happens without honesty, maturity, and a willingness to prioritise the people being governed over the politics or populist crusade of the moment.

“The budgets are tight. Waiting lists are long. Families are stretched. A border poll would not change any of that. It would not fix a pothole or call a patient off a waiting list. It is not an answer. It is a distraction. “Powersharing is not perfect. But it is where decisions are made, where progress happens, and where people’s lives are improved. Not in threats. Not in divisive border polls. In the hard work of governing.”

Sinn Fein has been approached for a response.

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Wes Brown believes there is a good chance Manchester United sensation JJ Gabriel is involved in the first-team next season.

Gabriel only turned 15 in October but has made a huge impression at Under-18 level this season and is regarded as one of the most exciting prospects in world football.

The teenager has scored 25 times in 27 appearances across the Under-18 Premier League and FA Youth Cup this term, frequently training with the first-team with growing expectation he will be ready for what would be a record-breaking debut sooner rather than later.

Max Dowman made his competitive debut for Arsenal aged 15 in August with Gabriel eligible to play in the Premier League from next season.

United have already had to fight tooth and nail to keep the versatile forward in Manchester with Barcelona among the host of clubs across Europe eager to lure him away.

Brown, an academy graduate himself who went onto win five Premier League titles, two FA Cups and two Champions Leagues with United, is among those who have watched Gabriel’s rise with increasing excitement.

The former defender has no doubts over Gabriel’s talent, suggesting the only dilemma facing United is at what point in the season they choose to bring him in next term.

Pointing to the impact Lamine Yamal had at Barcelona after making his debut just shy of his 16^th birthday, Brown believes it will happen sooner rather than later for Gabriel.

‘The talent is there. Crazy talent,’ Brown told Metro via BetMGM.

‘It is about timing with JJ Gabriel. For United, it is about getting him in in at the right time where he can do well where he will be appreciated.

‘The best example is with what Barcelona have done with Lamine Yamal. The talent was there, we know that now.

‘If you bring him in too early and it doesn’t work out the door can shut a little bit. Everyone knows how talented you are but the opportunities can become less.

‘What I will say, watching Gabriel is, he is fearless, he is always trying to make something happen. The way he glides past players is unbelievable.

‘Next season he will definitely be in the conversation but it will be about timing. Not to put him under pressure and telling him “we need you” because you don’t need that at that sort of age.

‘He just needs to enjoy his football and when his opportunities comes, enjoy it. But it will happen for him.’

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Thirteen live, zip-tied iguanas were found in the back of a man’s truck during a traffic stop in central Florida, according to reports.

The reptiles were discovered after Florida Highway Patrol troopers pulled over 32-year-old Rendon Casildo-Acdiel in Winter Haven, Florida, early Thursday morning, according to FOX 13 News. Winter Haven is located about 50 miles east of Tampa.

Casildo-Acdiel was stopped because he didn’t have a light for the license plate on his trailer, the state highway patrol told FOX 13. But after searching his truck and trailer, troopers said they found 13 live iguanas, along with five containers of iced tilapia.

Pictures from the scene show a haphazard pile of iguanas with their feet zip-tied in the back of a truck. The iguanas were reportedly taken to a local shelter afterward.

Casildo-Acdiel was arrested and now faces a charge of driving with a suspended license, according to FOX 13. It remains unclear if he’ll be charged in connection with the reptiles.

Casildo-Acdiel told troopers he was visiting Florida to get coconuts from Miami and fish from Polk County before heading back to North Carolina, according to Fox 13.

It’s unclear if Casildo-Acdiel has obtained an attorney. The Independent was unable to identify his attorney for comment.

Iguanas aren’t native to the state and are considered an invasive species, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. It’s illegal to introduce nonnative species into Florida.

Iguanas are often spotted falling from trees during cold spells in the Florida because low temperatures can temporarily paralyze them.

The reptiles can also bite both people and pets. Their bite wounds often require stitches, and bacteria found in iguanas’ mouths can sometimes cause severe infections, according to Critter Control.

A permit is required to “possess live captured green iguanas for eradication and control purposes,” the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s website states. Those who want to keep iguanas as pets are also required to obtain a permit through the state.

The Independent has contacted the Florida Highway Patrol and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for comment.

Into the Lead, delivered by Screen Alliance North, supported 17 leaders from small and medium-sized enterprises in the North’s scripted screen sector.

Participants gained new skills and connections in areas such as developing original IP, exploring innovative formats, and securing funding.

Penny Hall, partnerships lead at Screen Alliance North, said: “Into the Lead has been a gamechanger for the scripted screen indies in the North, empowering leaders to dream bigger and act bolder and encouraging them to build a more sustainable future, one that embraces innovation and puts people, and the environment first.

Richelle Schuster delivering an Into the Lead session (Image: Andy Matheson Photography)

“Collaboration is no longer just a buzzword – it’s the driving force behind our brightest creative breakthroughs.”

The group also built a lasting peer network, which they described as “a powerhouse of advice, opportunity and unwavering support”.

One participant said: “This programme has arrived at exactly the right time, offering me space to reflect, not just on projects but on how to lead people and ideas in a shifting industry.”

Another added: “I can already see how the peer network created through this training will be an important source of support, insight and collaboration going forward.”

Delivered by Under The Moon Ltd and Creaticity Ltd, the programme ran from January to March this year and was funded by Screen Alliance North, a BFI Skills Cluster, supported by the BFI awarding National Lottery funding.

The training included an in-person networking event and six learning modules featuring presentations, industry speakers, and collaborative challenges.

It focused on upskilling business leaders in good working practice, sustainability and inclusivity and helping them respond to shifting commissioning models, longer development cycles and growing pressure to diversify income.

Ruth Pitt, programme director, said: “Strong companies need strong leaders. Programmes like this are the lifeblood of creative business – powering survival, adaptation and dynamic growth.”

Sessions were delivered in partnership with BAFTA Albert and the BFI’s Workwise for Screen Programme.

The amount spent last year by Glasgow on hotels and bed and breakfast for the homeless was the highest ever.

Glasgow City Council spent a record sum of almost £70 million last year providing hotel and bed and breakfast accommodation to homeless people, mainly refugees.

Shock new figures released under Freedom of Information (FOI) show spending has more than tripled in the last four years. In the last financial year, 2025/26, the hotel and B&B bill was £67,815,500, compared to 45,292,346 in 2024/25, £26,724,422 in 2023/2 and £20,368,474 in 2023/23.

The same Glasgow City Council figures also show that 2773 homeless people are currently in hotel and bed and breakfast accommodation, of which 2030 are refugees.

The increase in spending has been blamed on a surge in migrants being given leave to remain after applying for asylum in the UK, after the Conservatives failed to process applications when they were in power.

Refugees have a legal right to be housed in Scotland that does not exist in England.

The FOI figures also show that 109 families with children are currently living in hotels and B&B and 2990 homeless people were refused temporary accommodation of any type last year.

The information was obtained by the Scottish Tenants Organisation (STO) who are calling instead for the money to be used to build modular prefabricated homes and more council housing.

The STO claim last year’s £67.8 million could instead build 1500 of the prefabs at £45,000 a time.

Campaign co-ordinator Sean Clerkin said:”These latest homeless statistics reveal that we are in the middle of a housing and homeless catastrophe in Glasgow where the profiteers of homeless misery got nearly £70 million from Glasgow City Council in 205/26.

“The number of refugees with the right to remain is still very high and Glasgow cannot cope with this without help.

“The only beneficiaries of this scandal are the owners of the hotels used to house the homeless.”

The STO are also calling for a summit involving the Home Office and the Scottish Government to come up with a proper plan for the homeless and to treat Glasgow as a special case.

Shelter Scotland Director, Alison Watson added;”It is the lack of social housing driving up homelessness costs as it forces councils to keep relying on expensive temporary accommodation.

“Building more would save money and prevent cuts to local services. Unless more social homes are built, the housing emergency will only get worse and local authorities cannot tackle it alone.

“The next government must provide more support to the areas that need it most.

“Everyone deserves a home, whether they are fleeing violence abroad or from a partner. Yet people in Glasgow have been failed for many years.”

One 55 year old woman, who asked not to be named, said she had lived in 15 different hotels and B&B in Glasgow in the last 14 months, after being made homeless last year.

The woman, who has a degree in Design and has worked as a college lecturer, says the standards of accommodation is poor and has been exposed to drugs, violence and other criminality.

She said:”I have asthma and the living conditions have made that worse.

“I have been offered crack cocaine and some of the women residents are targeted by kerb crawlers and men looking for sex.

“It can be quite a terrifying experience being in these places.”

As well as hotels and B&B homeless people can also be placed in furnished flats and shelters.

A Glasgow City Council spokeswoman said: “We are very aware of the rising cost of our hotel accommodation bill which has tripled over the past few years.

“A proportion of emergency accommodation costs are recouped via housing benefit and dialogue with Scottish Government remains ongoing in seeking possible longer-term solutions.

“Routine efforts are made to share the burden across Scotland however due to demand, we have been required to expand the use of bed and breakfast accommodation to meet our statutory duties.

“Anyone who finds themselves unintentionally homeless has the right to apply for help from any local authority in Scotland.

“Glasgow’s historic reputation for helping support refugees makes us an attractive city and why many are travelling here to build a new life.”

Jamie Varley, 37, a minute later sent a second text to his boyfriend, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, saying: “Jokes. Just give me a call when done.”

The defendants had adopted 13-month-old Preston Davey at their home in Blackpool in April 2023, Preston Crown Court heard.

Varley, from Grimsargh, is accused of the murder of the child and McGowan-Fazakerley of allowing the death of the child, with both accused of sexual abuse, the trial, now in its second week, has heard.

The text messages were sent on July 10, just four days after Preston had been admitted to Blackpool Victoria Hospital for a third time, after earlier visits in May and June.

Preston Davey (Image: Lancashire Police)

On the morning of July 6 2023, Varley took Preston to hospital with an injury to his elbow.

He told hospital staff he was lowering the baby into his cot the night before when the child jumped or kicked his feet and he heard a pop or click in his left elbow.

An X-ray confirmed a small fracture and his arm was put in a cast.

Later the child’s social worker, Amy Shepherdson, who had been in contact with the hospital, texted Varley to say: “Just to reassure you they said they had absolutely no concerns.

“U absolutely did the right thing.”

Ms Shepherdson visited their home later that day, noting that Preston looked pale and was not himself, adding: “He tried to smile several times but then this changed to a very sad face and a little cry.”

Jurors were also shown a text exchange between Varley and his friend, Tanya Tingle, telling her: “We did it we think…not on purpose but caught him when falling.”

A day later the family had a home visit from Helen Magee, an independent reviewer from Oldham social services.

In her report of the visit, apparently addressed to the baby, she wrote: “You were happy there with both your daddies. And this made me ponder a little as to whether there was a problem that I couldn’t see. I decided there wasn’t an issue…”

Dr Alberto Elbo, an orthopaedic surgeon, treated Preston at the fracture clinic the following week, when Varley brought him in.

Jurors were shown notes from the meeting he had dictated which said he was told the injury to the arm was from Preston being placed and strapped in a car seat and nothing to do with a cot.

Peter Wright KC, prosecuting, asked Dr Elbo about this explanation involving a car seat.

Dr Elbo said: “That’s what dad told me. What I understood from that day was he was being strapped in his car seat. That’s all I had in my mind when I dictated that letter.”

Nick Johnson KC, defending Varley suggested to the witness he had been told the injury came about due to a “cot” not a “car”.

“I don’t think so,” Dr Elbo replied.

Preston was born on June 16 2022, immediately taken into care by Oldham Council, and placed with foster parents at five days old.

After undergoing an assessment and familiarisation process in early 2023 he was adopted and began living with the defendants on April 1 at their home.

Varley took a year off work as head of year and as a design and technology teacher at a local high school, South Shore Academy, to look after the child, but struggled as a new parent with a baby who frequently woke during the night and with his partner working long hours, the court heard.

During the four months the baby was under their adoption he was allegedly routinely ill-treated, had indecent images and videos taken of him, was sexually abused and physically assaulted.

On July 27 2023 Preston was again brought in to the hospital by the defendants, unconscious and in a state of cardiac arrest, and medics could not revive him.

Varley told police the child accidentally drowned in a bath, but this was inconsistent with the post-mortem examination which discovered the child had suffered 40 traumatic injuries, the court heard.

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 Tuesday next week.