Police sources have said they were gagged from releasing key information about Southport killer Axel Rudakubana.
Detectives from Merseyside Police had wanted to provide details about Rudakubana’s background, including his religion and his crimes, but were warned not to do so by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
Sources had also been keen to elaborate on a terrorist document and batch of ricin found at his home but were advised against it, reports The Telegraph.
Rudakubana pleaded guilty to themurder of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club on July 29 last year.
Rudakubana pleaded guilty to the three murders earlier this week
PA/Merseyside Police
A police source said there was frustration among those working on the case that they were being prevented from saying more.
They told The Telegraph: “As far as they are concerned the more information that is in the public domain the better as it negates the speculation and conspiracies.”
Reform UK leader Nigel Faragequestioned why information was kept from the public. He said: “No one understands better than the Prime Minister the role of the CPS. He could have taken charge and given leadership with the truth about Axel Rudakubana but chose not to. He can’t face the truth, but the public can.”
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: “I remain deeply concerned that information which could have been released to the public was suppressed. Jonathan Hall, the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, has expressed similar concerns. It is imperative that the Government’s inquiry covers public communications after these appalling murders.”
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Independent reviewer of terrorism legislation Jonathan Hall KC has said far more information could have been put into the public domain by the Government and the police without prejudicing legal proceedings.
Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Parkinson admitted that the police’s actions reflected the CPS’s advice and defended the lack of transparency around the case.
More to follow…
