Starmer Southport murders: terrorism changed

Starmer Southport murders: terrorism changed – UK faces new threat

Sir Keir Starmer says the UK faces a “new threat” after the Southport murders, and that “terrorism has changed”.

Speaking from Downing Street, the Prime Minister said the threat comes from “extreme violence carried out by loners, misfits, young men in their bedrooms”.

He went on to say the state’s failure to prevent Axel Rudakubana’s murders “leaps off the page” and that the case should be a “line in the sand”.

Starmer talked about the changing nature of terrorism. He also announced Lord Anderson KC to look at the Prevent counter-terrorism system, which as we now know failed to pick up Rudakubana after he was referred.

Southport’s Labour MP reacted to Starmer’s statement. Patrick Hurley said: “really pleased” the PM has “so forcefully got a grip of this issue”. Hurley added the “root causes” of the Southport murders need to be investigated. Including the Prevent programme – the UK’s scheme to prevent terrorism at early stages.

On Monday, Axel Rudakubana, 18, pleaded guilty to murdering three girls in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class last year.

The Home Secretary launched a public inquiry into the attacks to “get to the truth about what happened and what needs to change”.