The UK government’s most senior officials reportedly became aware of the potential for new charges to be brought against the suspect in the Southport murders only in the past few weeks. An 18-year-old has been charged in connection with the murders of three young girls following an alleged attack during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in July. Axel Rudakubana is also now facing two additional charges; one under the UK’s terrorism act and a second in relation to the production of a biological toxin. It was reported that consent for the biological weapons charge was obtained “within days” from the government’s law officers.
Robert Jenrick, one of the candidates for the leadership of the Conservative Party, suggested that information was being withheld from the public relating to the potential for the terrorism act to be used in the case. He stated: “We were told for months that this was not a terror-related incident, and yet we have learnt that this individual, the suspect, was allegedly reading al-Qaeda manuals and had access to dangerous substances like ricin”. Meanwhile, fellow candidate Kemi Badenoch raised questions about the responses of the police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
While these charges do not suggest that the Southport murders are being treated as an act of terrorism, it should be emphasised that less severe charges of possessing documentation that may be useful for preparing an act of terrorism may be brought against someone without a link to political or social violence. The situation, however, remains unclear, and authorities have asked the public to resist speculation, which may jeopardise the ongoing court case.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has urged support for the police and prosecutors, and has highlighted the importance of delivering justice for the families of the victims. “We must support them and ensure that everything possible is done to deliver justice”, said Cooper.
The CPS has defended the timing of the charges, claiming that the investigation was complex and lengthy. The police also commented that it should not be suggested that it has been keeping details of the case from the public. The suspect has been due to appear in Westminster Magistrates Court on 30 October
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