A major independent investigation has been ordered into the contact public services had with the brother of Southport killer Axel Rudakubana, it can be revealed.
The probe, commissioned by the government, will scrutinise whether critical opportunities were missed to intervene before the horrific knife attack that left five people dead and several injured last month.
The brother, whose identity remains protected, was known to multiple agencies, including local mental health services and police. The inquiry will seek to establish a definitive timeline of all interactions and assess if safeguarding procedures were followed correctly.
A Nation Seeking Answers
The community of Southport and the nation at large are still reeling from the devastating events of August 18th. The upcoming inquiry is seen as a crucial step towards providing answers to the victims' families and ensuring such a tragedy can never happen again.
Home Secretary Dan Jarvis stated the investigation would be "thorough and uncompromising," adding, "The public and the victims' families deserve a full understanding of every event that led to this atrocity. We must leave no stone unturned."
Terms of Reference and Timeline
The independent chair, soon to be appointed, will have the power to call witnesses and demand the release of relevant documents. The inquiry is expected to examine:
- The extent and nature of the brother's contact with mental health services.
- All prior interactions with law enforcement agencies.
- The flow of information between different public bodies.
- The adequacy of the risk assessments conducted.
An interim report is expected within six months, with a full findings publication to follow. The government has pledged to implement any recommendations in full.
