By GB News (World News) | Created at 2024-10-30 17:38:19 | Updated at 2024-10-31 05:17:46
11 hours ago
Downing Street has denied withholding information about the Southport attacks from the public as an increasing number of politicians and commentators question whether there had been a cover-up.
Alex Rudakubana, the teenager accused of carrying out the Southport knife attack has been charged with possessing al-Qaeda material and producing ricin.
Rudakubana, who is accused of stabbing three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in July is alleged to have made ricin – a biological toxin – and kept the materials related to a terrorist group, Merseyside Police said.
The police reiterated yesterday that the Southport attacks are not being treated as a terrorist incident; the new charges are separate matters relating to material the police say they found when they searched Rudakubana's home.
This summer false rumours the attacker was a Muslim asylum seeker and that he was motivated by terrorism sparked widespread and often violent riots with thousands arrested and dozens jailed.
I grew up believing the sacred duty of our police was to keep, not manipulate the peace.
If it were to be proven that information was deliberately held from the public, to make that public more pliant, it would forever alter how many us see our police. https://t.co/ZY5MsZPPhZ
When asked about the suggestion that facts were being held from the public, the Prime Minister’s spokesperson said: “That’s not correct. Charging decisions are independently made by the CPS [Crown Prosecution Service], and I would point you to the CPS’s statements and statements from the police. It’s for them to speak to those decisions.”
Colin Brazier, a former broadcaster for GB News, commented on X: “I grew up believing the sacred duty of our police was to keep, not manipulate the peace.
“If it were to be proven that information was deliberately held from the public, to make that public more pliant, it would forever alter how many us see our police.”
Both of the Conservative leadership contenders also questioned if Downing Street had covered up the new charges.
Kemi Badenoch, his Tory leadership rival said there were “serious questions” to be asked to the police.
She said on X: “After the Southport murders and the ensuing protests and riots, some people asked me why I wasn’t commenting. This is why. Too many on all sides rush to conclusions before all the facts are clear.
“As more information emerges, it is quite clear that there are serious questions to be asked of the police, the CPS and also of Keir Starmer’s response to the whole situation.
“Parliament is the right place for this to happen. While we must abide by the rules of contempt of court and not prejudice this case it is important that there is appropriate scrutiny.”
