Andy Burnham and 12 Greater Manchester MPs back Campaign for Gigi

"I hope the Government will legislate in her memory to ensure the highest standards of safety and care in all nursery settings"

The Campaign for Gigi has struck the hearts of the people of Greater Manchester.

Nine-month-old Genevieve 'Gigi' Meehan died after she was swaddled and strapped face down on a beanbag for 90 minutes by her nursery worker, Kate Roughley, in May 2022 at Tiny Toes Children's Day nursery in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport.

At her trial, CCTV footage revealed that Roughley had been verbally abusive, made up songs about Genevieve, and even threw a toy at her. She was jailed for 14 years last year, after jurors found her guilty of manslaughter.

Now, a year on from the trial, Genevieve’s family are urgently seeking a change in the law regarding safety in nurseries.

In the campaign, they are seeking compulsory CCTV in nurseries, unannounced Ofsted inspections to be routine, and mandatory safe sleep training.

The Manchester Evening News has asked all 28 MPs in Greater Manchester - as well as Mayor Andy Burnham - if they will be supporting the campaign. Here is what they said:

In a statement, Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said he would be supporting the campaign. He said: “My heart goes out to the family of Genevieve 'Gigi' Meehan. What happened to Gigi is a tragedy no family should ever have to go through and I commend her parents Katie and John for their incredible strength in turning their grief into a call for change.

"I support the Campaign for Gigi and its proposals to improve nursery safety, including compulsory CCTV and mandatory safe sleep training. These reforms would not only provide reassurance to parents but also help early years professionals deliver the safest care possible.

"I have no doubt that parents across Greater Manchester will support the Campaign for Gigi and I hope the Government will legislate in her memory to ensure the highest standards of safety and care in all nursery settings."

Tom Morrison, MP for Cheadle Hulme, has been working with the family to further their campaign in Parliament. He has submitted an Early Day Motion on May 6 this year surrounding the campaign and its objectives - the motion can be found here.

It currently has 30 signatures.

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, he said: “What happened to Gigi in Cheadle Hulme was every parent’s worst nightmare — and it should never have been allowed to happen. I’ve been deeply moved by Katie and John’s courage, and I’m proud to stand with them in calling for urgent reforms to make early years childcare safer.

“I’ve raised this in Parliament, secured a meeting between the Minister and the family, and tabled a motion — now signed by [30] MPs — in support of what we’re calling Gigi’s Law. We want mandatory safer sleep training, unannounced Ofsted inspections, and clearer rules to protect babies in group care.

“This campaign began in our community — and I’ll do everything I can to make sure it leads to lasting change across the country.”

Also supporting the campaign is Labour MP for Heywood and Middleton, Elsie Blundell. She said: “As a new mother, I was heartbroken to learn of what happened to Gigi Meehan and to watch the BBC Panorama investigation into this tragedy.

“I took further action on this upon learning of the case and tabled a written parliamentary question that you can view here.

“This is an issue that I intend to take forward and raise further with the Department for Education; I believe that every parent or guardian should have the confidence that their chosen nursery provider offers a safe and secure environment for all children.”

Adding his support to the campaign, Michael Wheeler MP for Worsley and Eccles said: “As a father of a young child who is in nursery, I know how important it is that parents and carers are confident that our young children are being kept safe when they are in the care of their nurseries. No one could hear Gigi's story without being deeply affected, it is heartbreaking. I fully support the campaign being led by Gigi's parents.'

Also supporting the campaign, Labour’s Lisa Nandy, MP for Wigan said: “Gigi’s death was a devastating tragedy, and my heart goes out to her family, who have shown extraordinary strength in the face of unimaginable grief.

“Their campaign highlights profoundly important issues around the care and safety of children, and the need for proper accountability in settings where people rightly expect their children to be cared for safely."

And James Frith, MP for Bury North, said: “What happened to Gigi was a shocking and appalling tragedy. I’m sure I speak for parents everywhere when I say that I can’t begin to imagine the desperation Katie and her family must feel. The resilience that she has demonstrated in launching this campaign in the face of such trauma is truly inspiring.

“Gigi’s Campaign, which makes sensible suggestions on improving safety and accountability in nurseries, has my full and unequivocal backing. As parents, we entrust our children to these settings and every parent should have absolute confidence that their children are going to be cared for and kept safe at nursery.”

Hazel Grove MP Lisa Smart confirmed that she has signed the Early Day Motion from Tom Morrison MP.

Also supporting the campaign is Salford MP Rebecca Long-Bailey, Altrincham and Sale MP Connor Rand, Manchester Rusholme MP Afzal Khan and Leigh and Atherton MP Jo Platt. Stretford MP Andrew Western told the M.E.N. that he had written to the Government to find out their position on the campaign.

The Manchester Evening News is supporting the Campaign for Gigi, which is seeking improved safety measures in nursery settings including compulsory CCTV, unannounced Ofsted inspections as routine and mandatory safe sleep training.

To get involved in the campaign: Click the link here or below to search for your local MP; find their contact details; share Gigi’s Campaign with your local MP and ask them to support it.

More information about the campaign can be found here.