Southport inquiry hears of delays in attacker’s autism diagnosis

Flowers and tributes near the scene in Hart Street, Southport, where the three girls died (PA) - (PA Archive)

An autism assessment for Southport attacker Axel Rudakubana was delayed by eight months despite a teacher contacting the service to call for help with his diagnosis, a public inquiry has heard.

Giving evidence to the Southport Inquiry on Tuesday, Lynsey Boggan, clinical lead of neurodevelopmental services at Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, said there was a 45-week wait for an appointment for Rudakubana after he was referred to the community paediatric service for an autism diagnosis in November 2019.