Keir Starmer knew of possible Southport terror charge ‘weeks ago’ as Tories slam Labour ‘for keeping facts from public’
THE Prime Minister and other senior government figures knew about potential terror charges against the Southport suspect “weeks ago”, it emerged yesterday.
Tory MPs accused Labour of “keeping facts from the public” following July’s atrocity which saw Sir Keir Starmer slam online disinformation when terror was mentioned in tweets.
Speculation over Axel Rudakubana’s background sparked riots as the nation demanded answers over who took the lives of three young girls at a dance class.
It emerged on Tuesday that deadly toxin ricin and a Jihadi terror manual were allegedly found at the home of Rudakubana, then 17, in the days after his July arrest.
Ex PM Liz Truss said yesterday it would have been “extraordinary” had Sir Keir not been notified immediately.
Dominic Cummings, former chief adviser to ex-PM Boris Johnson, echoed her view.
Would-be Tory leader Robert Jenrick said: “The State should not be lying to its citizens. Why has it taken months for the police to set out basic facts?”
Leadership rival Kemi Badenoch said there were “serious questions to be asked of the police, CPS and of Keir Starmer’s response to the whole situation”.
Sir Keir said police and prosecutors should be left alone to “do their difficult job”.
No 10 said the timing of the charging announcement was decided by the Crown Prosecution Service.
It is believed Government law officers were consulted over charging Rudakubana, now 18, under the Biological Weapons Act over his alleged production of ricin.
Rudakubana, who faced Westminster magistrates yesterday via videolink from jail, is charged with producing a toxin and possessing information which may be useful for terrorism.
He is already charged with the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, who were stabbed during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.
He is also charged with the attempted murder of eight other children, instructor Leanne Lucas, businessman John Hayes, and possession of a knife.
A provisional trial date is set for January.
Grace Ononiwu, of the CPS, said last night: “Once someone has been arrested on suspicion of committing a crime there are strict limits on what information can be made available, reported in the media or shared online.”
Be open to stop tattle
POLICE and the Government must be more open about investigations to avoid cover-up rumours, the terror law watchdog has said.
Jonathan Hall KC said they should share all information with the media.
He also said reforming the Contempt of Court Act may be needed to ensure openness.
He said after new Rudakubana charges: “If there is an information gap, other voices will try and fill it.”