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Sir Keir Starmer will be grilled at PMQs after announcing a public inquiry into the Southport killings and vowing to leave no stone unturned in identifying potential failings.

Axel Rudakubana, 18, admitted on Monday to murdering three girls aged between six and nine after his frenzied knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Merseyside last year.

The then-17-year-old travelled five miles from his family home to the Hart Space, where he ambushed the youngsters. Since then, The Community Church, which his father attended, revealed the killer’s family have been moved to a secret location for their protection.

“The Rudakubana family have been devastated following this terrible incident and they have been moved by the police, for their protection, from their home in Banks to a secret location that we are unaware of,” it said.

In an address to the nation on Tuesday, Sir Keir promised action to end how “shockingly easy” it is for children to buy knives, including forcing online retailers to put in place tougher checks.

Starmer to be grilled at PMQs after launching inquiry into Southport attack

Sir Keir Starmer is set to be grilled at PMQs after announcing a public inquiry into the Southport killings, and vowing to leave no stone unturned in identifying potential failings ahead of the July attack.

Following Axel Rudakubana’s guilty plea on Monday, it emerged that the killer had been referred to anti-terror scheme Prevent three times prior to the attack in which he murdered three young girls and attempted to kill 10 others.

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In an address to the nation on Tuesday, the prime minister firmly rejected suggestions of a cover-up by Reform and the Conservatives, saying he would have risked leaving the Southport victims’ families without justice by making information about Rudakubana public ahead of the trial.

Prosecutors will reveal further information about Rudakubana on Thursday ahead of his sentencing.

Andy Gregory22 January 2025 11:08

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Ex-Met Assistant Commissioner urges increase in counter terrorism resources or warns lone attackers will keep slipping through net

The former head of counter terrorism policing has called for an urgent increase in resources for counter terrorism or feared lone attackers like Axel Rudakubana will continue to slip through the net.

A public inquiry into the Southport killer was announced on Monday after it emerged he had “contact with a range of different state agencies throughout his teenage years”, according to the home secretary, including three referrals to government anti-extremism scheme Prevent before the killings due to concerns about his obsession with violence.

Former Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu described these agencies as “unfunded, untrained, [and] largely staffed by frontline staff who are overwhelmed by demand”, warning: “This will come with a big bill, but that bill has got to be paid if we want to be safe.”

Tara Cobham22 January 2025 10:23

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Ex-UK counter terrorism chief brands government plan to extend terrorism definition a ‘mistake’

The former head of counter terrorism policing in the UK has branded the government’s proposal to extend the definition of terrorism to encompass atrocities carried out by lone attackers like the Southport killer “a mistake” .

Former Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu explained that violent individuals could “revel” in being called a terrorist as he also warned against the use of the term “lone wolf” for risk of “glorifying” perpetrators.

Tara Cobham22 January 2025 09:46

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Rudakubana described as ‘ticking time bomb’ by former classmate

After his guilty plea, fresh details emerged claiming Axel Rudakubana had been excluded from secondary school over allegations he was carrying a knife and later returned to attack someone with a hockey stick.

One former classmate told The Guardian he was a “ticking time bomb”, while others told The Times he was an odd pupil who would be disruptive in class, to the point that the phrase “doing an Axel” had become common among the class.

Tara Cobham22 January 2025 09:04

Garage owner tells of confronting killer moments before hearing screams from young girls’ holiday class

A garage owner who confronted Axel Rudakubana just before the Southport attack said he had no idea of the “unspeakable” horror the agitated teen was about to unleash – as he called for him to never see the light of day again.

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Reliving the horrific events for the first time since 18-year-old Rudakubana pleaded guilty, Colin Parry said all he could see was the killer’s eyes when the knifeman, wearing a bright green hoodie and Covid face mask, arrived on Hart Street in a taxi and took a wrong turn into the entrance of his garage.

When the 63-year-old swore at him and told him to pay the driver, who had followed to demand payment, Rudakubana leant forward and replied: “What you gonna do?”

“He’s agitated, shuffling around because the lad realises he’s in the wrong place, yeah, and walks out,” he told The Independent. “Doesn’t run out. He just walked out, but he pushed past the taxi.”

Moments later screams were heard from the Hart Space studio next door, where 26 girls were making bracelets and singing at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday class. By the time Mr Parry arrived at the scene, his colleague was running out carrying an injured child who he laid on the floor in front of him. His white spray suit was soaked red with blood, he recalled.

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Tara Cobham22 January 2025 09:01

Review of terror law would be a mistake, experts warn PM after Southport murders

Expanding terror laws to encompass atrocities carried out by lone attackers like the Southport killer would be a mistake – and such threats are not new, security experts have warned.

Sir Keir Starmer announced a review of terror laws to address “extreme violence carried out by loners, misfits, young men in their bedrooms” following the Southport murders.

Axel Rudakubana, 18, pleaded guilty on Monday to murdering three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, Merseyside, in July.

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Tara Cobham22 January 2025 09:00

Full story: Starmer promises action to end ‘shockingly easy’ access to knives online

Online retailers will be forced to put in place tougher checks to stop youngsters buying knives after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said it is “shockingly easy” for children to buy blades.

Southport murderer Axel Rudakubana used a knife bought from Amazon to kill three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, Merseyside, in July.

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The Government has promised new laws, which could see retailers forced to ask anyone buying a knife for two types of identification.

Read the full story here:

Tara Cobham22 January 2025 08:46

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Lord Carlile backs calls for government to crack down on online retailers selling knives to under-18s

Lord Carlile has backed calls for the Government to crack down on online retailers selling knives to under-18s.

It comes after it was revealed Southport killer Axel Rudakubana was able to order a knife on Amazon when he was still aged 17 and had been convicted over violence.

The sale of knives with a fixed blade of more than three inches long to under-18s is illegal in England and Wales, with retailers facing fines or prosecution if they breach the law.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast on Wednesday morning, Lord Alex Carlile said: “The companies concerned have indicated that they’re capable of doing online scans while people are going onto their sites, which are a rudimentary but reasonably reliant test of their age.

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“And, also, we all have some form of identity.

“Students often have identity cards for their student lives, and so I don’t see any reason why people who are buying things online should not have to establish that they’re at appropriate age to buy those things online.

“It’s no different from going into a bar and being refused service without proving that one is over 18.”

Tara Cobham22 January 2025 08:45

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Lord Carlile calls for more regulation of social media companies after Southport attack

Lord Carlile has called for more regulation of social media companies to prevent potential perpetrators from “learning how to be a terrorist online” in the wake of the Southport stabbing attack.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast on Wednesday morning, Lord Alex Carlile said: “It is absolutely clear that the online companies are not prepared to scrutinise the content of what is placed on their sites in a way that will ensure that our children and grandchildren do not see dreadful things online when they’re not mature enough to be able to exercise a critical faculty over them.

“So, given that the internet companies are not prepared to do what they should voluntarily agree to carry out, it is time for a regulatory regime to be established which does not question the right of free speech, but which protects the public from unlawful acts.

“If the internet companies are not prepared to do it, then the sanction is on governments – not just our government, but many other governments.

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“And as we saw in America earlier in the week, one can switch off the site – Tiktok was switched off for a day.

“Also, they can be fined, fines based upon their world turnover, very big fines.

“So, it is time that we looked at having a proper regulatory regime for our own country, doing what we have to do first, protecting our own country and our own citizens to ensure that people like this perpetrator are not able to learn how to be a terrorist online.”

Tara Cobham22 January 2025 08:44

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Employment minister defends new measures to use two-factor identification to buy knives

New measures to use two-factor identification to prevent underage people from buying knives are needed to stop the “absolute devastation” caused by the flow of knives, a minister has said.

Employment minister Alison McGovern was asked about plans for two-factor identification to prevent people who are not old enough to buy knives and whether the technology is workable.

She told BBC Breakfast: “Knife crime is horrendous and we have got to have the new measures that you just mentioned, because we cannot have this flow of knives that can cause such absolute devastation.

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“We know that the technology is there to improve verification checks and I think that everyone would want that, every business, every organisation.

“So, the Government will work with organisations to bring in every possible protection to stop knives getting into the wrong hands.”

She said the Government wants to work with retailers but that “in the end, we’ve got to have the right checks in place” and “look at every measure that we can bring forward through legislation”.

Tara Cobham22 January 2025 08:43

Storm Éowyn – pronounced “ay-oh-win” – and the fifth named storm of the season will undergo rapid development during Thursday as it moves across the Atlantic. It will be fuelled by a very powerful jet stream which is fast moving air high in the atmosphere where wind speeds are around 260mph (418km/h).

The exact track that Éowyn takes as it approaches the UK and Ireland will determine where the strongest winds will be.

It’ll turn windy on Thursday, especially on coasts of west Wales and southern England where there is a yellow Met Office wind warning in force from 07:00 GMT to 18:00.

However, this spell of strong winds with gusts of 50-60mph (80-97km/h) is not connected to Storm Éowyn.

The strong winds associated with Éoywn will start on Friday morning.

Met Office amber severe weather warning covers Northern Ireland, southern Scotland, northern England and North Wales from 06:00 GMT to 21:00 on Friday.

Wind gusts of 60-70mph (97-113km/h) fairly widely inland and 80-90mph (129-145km/h) along more exposed coasts and hills.

The Met Office suggest that we could even perhaps see even higher gusts in a few locations.

Elsewhere, yellow warnings have been issued for most of the UK on Friday and continuing across much of Scotland into Saturday.

Across northern and western Scotland, parts of the Midlands and southern England, gusts of 50-65mph (80-105km/h) are expected but around coastal areas gusts up to 80mph (129km/h) are likely.

Met Office warnings could still be adjusted and possibly upgraded ahead of Friday.

These gales and severe gales are likely to bring travel disruption and some damage, which could include roof tiles being blown off and power cuts.

Large waves are also expected with coastal overtopping.

Heavy rain is also expected where there is a yellow Met Office rain warning for west Wales and south-west England from midnight to 09:00 GMT Friday.

While it will turn milder for some, especially in the south, it will remain cold enough for snow to fall over hills in Scotland and northern England.

With potentially 15-25cm (6-10 in) of snow to fall over the highest ground there is a separate yellow warning for snow from 03:00 GMT to 12:00 on Friday.

“Absolute transparency” is needed about the circumstances surrounding the attack in Southport by Axel Rudakubana, according to Employment Minister Alison McGovern.

She told GB News: “In relation to Southport, I hope you’ll understand if I first say that, like everybody in our country, my heart just breaks for the poor families of the three little girls and everybody who was injured or hurt in that dreadful attack.

“And we’ve seen another attack this morning that also is utterly heartbreaking.

“When it comes to the question that you asked there, we need to have transparency over all of the elements that have happened here.

“I’m very, very concerned about some of the things that seem to have gone wrong in this case. That’s why it’s right that we have an inquiry to get the facts out in the open.

“That is the best way to get trust in the steps that we need to take forward to put right what is wrong, and to make sure, as a matter of course, there should be absolute transparency about what’s happened here.”

She added: “I know the police and Merseyside very well, and they are incredibly good and they will make their needs known following these terrible events to the government.

“As a general point, I’ve been a strong supporter of the Hillsborough Law, which following the terrible events and all that went wrong in covering up that terrible situation, we need to have a duty of candour to make sure that public servants who say what they know when terrible things happen, because that’s the public’s information and it should be out there.

“I would say that anybody who’s worried about trust in government can show that they want change by voting and supporting Hillsborough law.”

WATCH ABOVE.

A family’s move from New Zealand to Australia went horribly wrong when they realised their cat had been left on the plane and flown back home.

Mittens, an eight-year-old Maine coon cat, was booked on a one-way trip from Christchurch, in New Zealand, to Melbourne, Australia, on 13 January.

Once they touched down in Melbourne, she was meant to be unloaded from the cargo hold but after three hours waiting, owner Margo Neas said there was no sign of her.

It was then that ground staff told Ms Neas the plane had returned to New Zealand – with Mittens still on board. The return trip involves about seven-and-a-half hours in the air.

“I said, ‘how can this happen? How can this happen? Oh my God’,” Ms Neas said.

“It was not a great start to our new life in Melbourne because we didn’t have the family, we weren’t complete.”

The Air New Zealand pilot was told about Mittens’s presence mid-air, so they turned on the heating in the cargo hold to keep her comfortable, Ms Neas said.

She was told a stowed wheelchair had obscured a baggage handler’s view of Mittens’s cage.

Upon landing back in Christchurch, Mittens was met by the company Ms Neas had employed to take care of the cat’s transfer and they ensured she was safely put on a plane back to Melbourne to be reunited with her family.

Mittens had lost weight but was otherwise unharmed.

“She basically just ran into my arms and just snuggled up in here and just did the biggest cuddles of all time,” Ms Neas said. “It was just such a relief.”

Read more from Sky News:
No wonder the public is confused about Southport attack
The climate rules Trump has ripped up already

Air New Zealand apologised for the blunder and said it would refund all costs associated with the animal’s travel, according to a statement by the airline.

“We’ll work closely with our ground handler in Melbourne to ensure this doesn’t happen again,” said spokesperson Alisha Armstrong.

Meanwhile Mittens, not usually an affectionate pet, is “the cuddliest she’s ever been”, said Ms Neas.

“The cat gets as much attention as she wants right now because we’re just so absolutely and utterly relieved to have her back.”

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Prince Harry has received a public apology and substantial damages from the publisher of The Sun after settling his legal action over allegations of unlawful information-gathering.

The Duke of Sussex, 40, alleged he was targeted by journalists and private investigators working for News Group Newspapers (NGN), which also published the now-defunct News Of The World.

On Wednesday morning, the duke’s barrister said the parties had “reached an agreement” and that NGN had offered an “unequivocal apology” and would pay “substantial damages” – reportedly an “eight-figure” sum, according to ITV royal correspondent Chris Ship.

Standing on the steps of the High Court, David Sherborne delivered a scathing rebuke of Rupert Murdoch’s NGN, declaring: “The lies are laid bare, the cover-ups are exposed, and today proves that no one is above the law.”

He described the settlement as a “monumental victory,” asserting that News UK had finally been held to account for its “illegal actions and blatant disregard for the law.”

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NGN has denied unlawful activity took place at The Sun.

A trial of up to 10 weeks was set to begin was set to begin on Tuesday, but three requests for adjournments and a Court of Appeal bid meant that the case remained unopened.

Continuing this morning, Mr Sherborne said “I am pleased to announce to the court that the parties have reached an agreement. As a result of the parties reaching an agreement I would ask formally that the trial is vacated.”

He continued: “NGN offers a full and unequivocal apology to the Duke of Sussex for the serious intrusion by The Sun between 1996 and 2011 into his private life, including incidents of unlawful activities carried out by private investigators working for The Sun.

“NGN also offers a full and unequivocal apology to the Duke of Sussex for the phone hacking, surveillance and misuse of private information by journalists and private investigators instructed by them at the News Of The World.

“NGN further apologises to the duke for the impact on him of the extensive coverage and serious intrusion into his private life as well as the private life of Diana, Princess of Wales, his late mother, in particular during his younger years.”

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He continued: “It is also acknowledged, without any admission of illegality, that NGN’s response to the 2006 arrests and subsequent actions were regrettable.”

Lord Tom Watson, former Labour deputy leader, was also taking legal action against the publisher, but also settled his claim.

After two earlier requests for adjournments on Tuesday, thought to be related to settlement discussions, Mr Justice Fancourt refused a third request for a delay as both sides had had “ample time to seek to resolve their differences”.

Following a short break, lawyers for both sides asked for the green light to challenge the judge’s decision to not provide a further delay at the Court of Appeal.

While Mr Justice Fancourt denied the request, the lawyers could go to the Court of Appeal itself, meaning Tuesday’s hearing was adjourned in any event.

Several other high-profile figures have settled their cases against NGN, with 39 people settling claims between July and December last year.

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Harry had been expected to return to the UK in February to give evidence over several days in support of his claim that journalists and private investigators working for The Sun targeted him.

He and Lord Watson were the final remaining claimants in the case against NGN, which denied the allegations, after many high-profile figures—including actor Hugh Grant—had already settled similar claims.

In April, the High Court heard that actor Hugh Grant had settled his case against NGN because of the risk of a £10 million legal bill if his case went to trial.

Mr Sherborne said at that hearing that “the Duke of Sussex is subject to the same issues that Sienna Miller and Hugh Grant have been subject to, which is that the offers are made that make it impossible for them to go ahead”.

The daughter of late MP Sir David Amess has revealed that she “begged and pleaded” for an inquiry into her father’s murder, as she highlighted the “failures” of the Home Office and the Prevent programme.

The Labour Government has announced an inquiry into the Southport attack of July 2024, after it was revealed that killer Axel Rudakubana, 18, was referred to the Government’s anti-extremism scheme Prevent three times, but no intervention was made.

Katie Amess has revealed that she ‘begged’ the Home Office for an inquiry into her father’s murder, following the revelations about Southport killer Axel Rudakubana

Getty / CPS / GB News

“And then obviously, he went on to kill my father. And I’ve been calling for the resumption of the inquest, and I’ve not been allowed that. I was denied that.”

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Stressing how she “begged and pleaded” for an inquiry, Amess stated that the previous Government “shut her down”.

Amess added: “The Conservative Government totally shut me down. They wouldn’t let me do any kind of inquiry, wouldn’t take meetings with me, would ignore my letters. I begged, I pleaded. So then I tried the Labour Government.

“I haven’t heard from Yvette Cooper since they’ve announced that there will be a full inquiry into the Southport killings, but I was told absolutely no inquiry would be allowed because it would give away secret information that would be in the report.

Sir David Amess was among two MPs killed in recent yearsGETTY

“So I don’t understand what could be in my report that is not top secret, that would be in the Southport report.”

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Highlighting that the failings of Prevent are “not isolated incidents”, Amess expressed her concerns for other individuals being let back into society without intervention.

Amess stated: “This is not an isolated incident of Prevent failing, we have numerous cases of them letting the people back into the community and then go on to commit those atrocities.

“The answer can’t just be it was an admin error, that’s not acceptable.”

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Calling for changes to the Prevent scheme, Amess admitted that while she is glad the families of the Southport victims are being given an inquiry, there is still something “hugely wrong” with the system and how the scheme is run.

Amess told GB News that she ‘expects to hear from Keir Starmer and Yvette Cooper’ regarding an inquest into her how Prevent ‘failed her’

GB News

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Calling for communication from the Labour Government, Amess concluded: “There’s got to be some more deeply involved, rigorous way of understanding or trying to understand what the person is thinking so that we can monitor them better, and then not just have an admin error and let them go back into the community.

“Something is hugely, hugely wrong with the system, and I’m so glad that the Southport victims’ families are going to be able to have an inquest.

“Keir Starmer said no stone will be unturned, it will be robust, we will get to the bottom of this – that is wonderful and that is the way that it should be for absolutely everybody that Prevent has failed.”

She added: “They can’t pick and choose and nitpick who they’re going to help and who they’re not going to help, so I fully expect to hear from Keir Starmer and Yvette Cooper to confirm that I will also be getting an inquiry into how Prevent failed me.”

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