The pinnacle of the federal government’s counter-terror programme Stop has reportedly stepped down after it was revealed that the Southport killer’s case was closed before the attack.
Michael Stewart has stepped down from his function at Prevent, following a evaluation which revealed Axel Rudakubana’s case had been closed prematurely after he was referred 3 times between December 2019 and April 2021.
Rudakubana was given a life sentence with a minimal time period of 52 years earlier this yr for murdering Alice da Silva Aguiar, 9, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on July 29 2024.
He additionally tried to homicide eight different kids, who can’t be named for authorized causes, in addition to class teacher Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes.
Three separate referrals have been made to Stop about Rudakubana’s behaviour within the years earlier than the assault, in addition to six separate calls to police.
Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice da Silva Aguiar have been murdered at a Taylor Swift themed dance class in Southport (Merseyside Police/PA) (PA Media)
Mr Stewart has been the boss of Stop since September 2020 and was on the head of the counter-terrorism programme when the assault was carried out final yr.
His departure, which has been reported by The Instances, comes after a evaluation discovered numerous failures into the dealing with of Rudakubana’s case.
The investigation discovered that although there was a enough danger to maintain Rudakubana’s circumstances lively – they have been closed prematurely whereas an excessive amount of focus was positioned on a scarcity of distinct ideology.
Rudakubana had been referred to Stop 3 times between December 2019, when he was aged 13 and April 2021, when he was 14. These referrals have been made by his faculties.
The evaluation stated Rudakubana’s analysis of faculty shootings, speaking about stabbing folks and saying the terrorist assault on ‘MEN’, believed to check with the Manchester Enviornment assault in 2017, “might have proven an actual curiosity in terrorism”.
Axel Rudakubana was sentenced in January 2025 (Elizabeth Cook dinner/PA) (PA Media)
There had been enough proof to refer Rudakubana to the following stage of the programme – known as Channel- however this didn’t occur.
The report additionally highlighted spelling errors of Rudakubana’s title in referrals, though this didn’t cease the circumstances being linked.
Alongside the evaluation of Stop referrals, House Secretary Yvette Cooper introduced {that a} public inquiry can be held to have a look at any “missed alternatives” to determine Rudakubana’s murderous intent.
Saying the findings of the evaluation within the Home of Commons earlier this yr, safety minister Dan Jarvis informed MPs that counter-terrorism officers have been flawed to shut his case “prematurely” when there was “enough concern” to maintain it open.
Mr Jarvis stated: “The evaluation concluded that an excessive amount of focus was positioned on the absence of a definite ideology, to the detriment of contemplating the perpetrator’s susceptibility, grievances and sophisticated wants.”
The House Workplace doesn’t touch upon inner staffing.
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