The teenager accused of the fatal stabbing of three girls at a dance class in Southport has been charged with production of a deadly poison and a terror offence, the chief constable of Merseyside Police has said.
Axel Rudakubana, 18, will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court by videolink on Wednesday charged with production of a biological toxin, Ricin, and possession of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing to commit an act of terrorism.
The charges come after searches of his home in Banks, Lancashire, Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said at a press conference on Tuesday.
The terror offence relates to a PDF file entitled Military Studies In The Jihad Against The Tyrants, The Al Qaeda Training Manual, Ms Kennedy said.
Rudakubana is already charged with the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, who were fatally stabbed during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Hart Street, Southport, on July 29.
He is also charged with the attempted murder of eight other children, instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes, as well as possession of a knife.
Ms Kennedy said: “Searches of Axel Rudakubana’s home address resulted in an unknown substance being found. Testing confirmed the substance as Ricin.
“We have worked extensively with partners to establish that there was a low to very low risk to the public and I want to make that reassurance clear today.
“I can also tell you that there was no Ricin present at Hart Street.”
She said it was “certainly not the case” that police were deciding to keep information from the public and said she wanted to reassure communities that police are committed to getting justice and to being open and transparent.
The attack has not been declared as a terrorist incident by counter-terror police, Ms Kennedy said.
She added: “I recognise that these new charges may lead to speculation.
“The matter for which Axel Rudakubana has been charged under the Terrorism Act does not require motive to be established.
“For a matter to be declared as a terrorist incident, motivation would need to be established.
“I would strongly advise anyone against speculating as to the motivation in this case.
“The criminal proceedings against Axel Rudakubana are live and he has a right to a fair trial.”
The police chief urged people not to engage in “rumour and speculation”.
She said: “We must not lose sight of the families of Elsie, Bebe and Alice, who are still grieving, and the families and those victims who were present at Hart Street on July 29.
“We need to do the right thing to ensure that the justice process is not prejudiced.”
Dr Renu Bindra, senior medical adviser at the UK Health Security Agency, told the press conference experts undertook a thorough public health risk assessment following the discovery of Ricin.
She said: “There was no evidence that any victims, responders or members of the public were exposed to Ricin, either as part of the incident or afterwards.
“Our detailed initial risk assessment judged that the risk to the community and the wider public was low.”
Rudakubana is alleged to have entered the school holiday dance class, at a small business park in Southport, shortly before midday.
Elsie and Bebe were pronounced dead at the scene. Alice was pronounced dead at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in the early hours of the next day.
The day after the attack, thousands turned out for a peaceful vigil in the town but later a separate protest erupted into violence outside a mosque in the town.
In the following week, protests took place in dozens of towns and cities across the country and descended into violence and rioting, with asylum centre hotels in particular targeted.
More than 1,000 arrests have since been made and hundreds charged and jailed.
Conservative leadership candidate Robert Jenrick said he was concerned facts may have been withheld from the public after the Southport knife-attack suspect was charged with a terror offence.
He said: “This atrocity was of immense public concern. The public had a right to know the truth straight away.
“Any suggestion of a cover-up will permanently damage public trust in whether we’re being told the truth about crime in our country. Keir Starmer must urgently explain to the country what he knew about the Southport attack and when he learned it.
“Across the board the hard reality of mass migration is being covered up. We need the truth — and we need to change.”
His Tory rival Kemi Badenoch said there were “serious questions to be asked of the police, the CPS and also of Keir Starmer’s response to the whole situation”.
Writing on X, formerly Twitter, she added: “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.”
Downing Street said the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s thoughts remain with the families of the Southport attack victims.
A No 10 spokeswoman said: “The Government is focused on ensuring the families and all those affected receive justice, and first and foremost the Prime Minister’s thoughts are with those families and the local community. His thoughts remain firmly with them.”
Charging decisions are for the Crown Prosecution Service, she said, adding that the trial would “establish the facts of the case”.
Downing Street denied the Government had been involved in decision-making about the timing of an announcement about charges against the Southport attack suspect.
Asked if there was any Government involvement in decisions on the timing, the No 10 spokeswoman said: “No, charging decisions and when those are made are for the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service).”
She also said it was “not correct” to say the Government had been involved in withholding facts from the public.
The spokeswoman added: “Charging decisions are independently made by the CPS and I would point you to the CPS’ statement and statements from the police.”
A provisional trial date for Rudakubana has been set for January next year.
