Home Secretary admits failures led to Southport attack

The Home Secretary has vowed to “right the wrongs” identified by an inquiry into the “senseless killing” of three young girls and violent attacks on others in Southport.

Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, were killed by 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in June 2024.

Inquiry chairman Sir Adrian Fulford said there had been a “fundamental failure” by any organisation to take ownership of the risk Rudakubana posed in the years leading up to his attack.

Shabana Mahmood said the government accepted these findings, adding: “We will do whatever is needed to protect the public.”

“The Southport Inquiry identified fundamental failings, across many of our public services in the years leading up to July 2024,” she said.

“These devastating failures led to the senseless killing of three young girls and violent attacks on others.

“My thoughts today are first and foremost with the families and friends of Bebe, Elsie and Alice and all the victims of that awful day.

“We owe it to them to right these wrongs.”

She added that her department would now carry out the necessary work “with the urgency it deserves”.