'Britain will rightly demand answers' into how state 'failed' girls in Southport murders

Prime Minister Keir Starmer pays his respects at the Southport knife attack scene
-Credit:Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo


"Britain will rightly demand answers" into how the state "failed" the three girls murdered in Southport last year, the Prime Mister said. As Axel Rudakubana appeared in Liverpool Crown Court on what was expected to be the first day of his murder trial in connection to the Southport stabbings on July 29, he pleaded guilty to three counts of murder, ten counts of attempting to murder eight children and two adults and possession of a bladed article in a public place, namely a kitchen knife with a curved blade.

In October, Rudakubana was further charged with production of a biological toxin, namely ricin, and possession of information of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism, namely a PDF file entitled "Military Studies in the Jihad Against the Tyrants: The Al-Qaeda Training Manual", both of which he pleaded guilty to as well.

Following the shock change of plea, Sir Keir Starmer released a statement calling for answers as to how Bebe King, six, ELsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, were "failed" by the state.

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He said: "Our thoughts are with the families of Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, and the families of everyone affected, who will be saved the ordeal of a protracted trial.

“The news that the vile and sick Southport killer will be convicted is welcome. It is also a moment of trauma for the nation, and there are grave questions to answer as to how the state failed in its ultimate duty to protect these young girls.

(L-R) Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine
(L-R) Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine

“Britain will rightly demand answers, and we will leave no stone unturned in that pursuit. At the centre of this horrific event, there is still a family and community grief that is raw, a pain that not even justice can ever truly heal.

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"Although no words today can ever truly convey the depths of that pain, I want the families to know that our thoughts are with them and everyone in Southport affected by this barbaric crime.

“The whole nation grieves with them.”

Rudakubana, 18, of Old School Close in Banks, Lancashire, will be sentenced on Thursday, January 23.