Questions surrounding the Southport murders deepen as Axel Rudakubana, who pleaded guilty to possessing al-Qaeda training manuals and manufacturing ricin, had been introduced to the counter-terrorism program Prevent three times. Concerns are raised about the lack of transparency from authorities, including Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, regarding their knowledge of Rudakubana’s activities. The tragic deaths of three girls during a dance class have sparked outrage, compounded by recent riots. A public inquiry has been promised, but critics fear it may only delay accountability. Trust in the government erodes as citizens demand full disclosure and clarity amidst growing conspiracy theories.
Questions are mounting rapidly right now. Why didn’t anyone raise a red flag when Southport murderer Axel Rudakubana was introduced to the counter-terrorism program Prevent not once but three times?
When did Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper learn that the then 17-year-old had downloaded research from al-Qaeda training manuals and was manufacturing the deadly poison ricin?
What did Starmer and those in power know when they were deriding millions of British people as “far-right thugs”?
What’s most important is how little we are told.
The horrific murders of three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport have shocked the nation. The ugly riots that occurred in its aftermath overshadowed the deep concern felt by millions of ordinary Britons who could never understand how something so stupid could happen here.
But our voices were harshly criticized by authorities determined to control the narrative by cracking down on what people say, ask, and even think about the killings. That level of tight control continues today, and there is a frightening lack of information about what happened and why.
At Liverpool Crown Court yesterday, Rudakubana pleaded guilty to possessing a PDF document titled “Military Research in the Jihad Against Tyranny, Al-Qaeda Training Manual”.
He also admitted to manufacturing ricin, a toxin used in past terrorist attacks. He says nothing further about his motives or beliefs.
Southport murderer Axel Rudakubana was referred to the anti-terror program Prevent not once but three times.
Courtroom sketch of Rudakbana, who pleaded guilty to possessing PDF documents of al-Qaeda training manuals at Liverpool Crown Court
Summer of violence: Police vehicle set on fire after protest in Southport last July
Mr Cooper has now announced a public inquiry into the tragedy. That’s fine, but don’t let this become another procrastination tactic, much less an expensive one for your lawyer. It is essential that the full facts are immediately known.
Before Rudakbana was appointed, we were repeatedly told that the killer was Welsh and born in Cardiff. That was true, but not all of it was true. His parents are immigrants from Rwanda, and yesterday we learned belatedly that his father, Alphonse, is credited with fighting with the Rwandan Patriotic Army against the Hutu regime during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. At least one million people were massacred in this genocide, often in brutal fashion.
If there had been complete transparency from the beginning, we would not have been so suspicious about his motives. But for many, faith in Starmer and his hapless ministers has been shattered. Every aspect of the government’s response to the Southport murders and the social unrest it has caused is now open to question.
I have never experienced such a concerted effort by the government and the left wing of the media to suppress voices of opposition.
Law-abiding British citizens, especially the families of the murdered girls and those who sustained life-changing injuries, have a right to know the full facts.
Without facts, conspiracy theories emerge and distrust of the entire system increases. Last summer’s riots were fueled by rumors and half-truths spread on social media. The solution to this kind of poison is not to impose silence.
And it’s not just Southport. On many more pressing issues, the government is withholding information and suppressing legitimate questions. Because Starmer and his frontbench think it’s best not to tell us.
Instead, they just make a big fuss about “misinformation” (a term used by elites to shut down discussion about things they don’t want to discuss openly), just as they did after the Southport scandal.
If there’s one lesson to be learned from this horror, it’s that transparency is critical.
- Professor Matt Goodwin regularly publishes the Political Substack Newsletter at mattgoodwin.org.
For more information on this case, search for “The Trial: The Southport Dance class” wherever you get your podcasts.