Prime Minister said, serious questions have to be answered on Southport attack

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said there are “serious questions to answer” over the state’s failures to protect three young girls killed in the Southport attack.

On Monday, Axel Rudacubana pleaded guilty to murder in the deaths of 6-year-old Bebe King, 7-year-old Elsie Dot Stancomb and 9-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar, who were attending a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.

Government sources have told the BBC that Rudakubana was briefed several times about the government’s counter-terrorism program before the attack in Southport.

In a statement, Sir Keir said “Britain will demand appropriate answers” and added: “We will leave no stone unturned in that effort.”

“At the heart of this terrible event, there is still family and community grief that is raw; a pain that even justice can never heal,” he said.

“While no words can truly express the depth of that pain today, I want the families to know that our thoughts are with them and all of Southport affected by this barbaric crime.

“The whole country is sad with him.”

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch also said there were questions to be answered about the case.

“We need full details of who in the government knew what and when. The public deserves the truth,” he said in a social media post.

Rudakubana will be sentenced on Thursday and is expected to be given a life sentence.

However, he cannot be sentenced to life imprisonment for his crimes because he is under 21 years of age.