Southport stabbings: The processes might have been followed but the systems failed
This is a government acknowledgement of what we already knew; that the system failed.
There were three chances to act, which certainly cumulatively, but even individually, should have seen Rudakubana placed in a system designed to de-radicalise him, even if his ideology was poorly formed and hard to define.
Today’s report for the government suggests, even in his first referral to Prevent, enough was known to put Rudakubana into the Channel programme.
Axel Rudakubana. Pic: Merseyside police
The report says a number of factors pointed to “his vulnerability of being drawn to terrorism”, such as researching school shootings, talking about stabbing people, and stating the terrorist attack on ‘MEN’ was a good thing – this probably a reference to the Manchester Arena attack.
He was young with complex needs. Even though his ideology wasn’t understood – it was an opportunity to try to understand it and work him out of it.
Instead, in December 2019, the assessor decided Rudakubana had “no ideological driver” beyond “a potential obsession with mass violence” and so placed him in a category called Mixed, Unclear or Unstable (MUU) which by its very name shows that they are unable to conclude whether he is dangerous or not.
Today’s rapid report identified another significant factor that might motivate this type of violence: “grievances.”
In this case, Rudakubana was bullied at school and the report implies these “behavioural factors” should be given more weight in assessments.
In December 2019, an assessor decided Rudakubana had “no ideological driver” beyond “a potential obsession with mass violence”. Pic: Elizabeth Cook via PA
The review also suggests that not enough general background checking is happening.
On the second referral in February 2021, the decision not to place Rudakubana into Channel is made on “minimal information”, not speaking directly to the person who reported the concerns, nor Rudakubana’s parents, nor checking internet searches at the school.
Read more:
Why violent motivations are becoming harder to define
Former social worker warns over ‘holes in the system’
Southport killer jailed for minimum of 52 years
It seems as if processes were largely followed, but this review criticises the subjective decisions made and the lack of professional curiosity, considering the same person crops up three times.
The rapid review calls on the Prevent system to strengthen its risk assessments, particularly where there isn’t a coherent ideology, and to recognise the potential risk from repeat referrals.
But, perhaps the most depressing finding is that on his second referral there was a spelling error of his name as Rudukubana.
Just one ‘u’ instead of an ‘a’ may have meant previous referrals didn’t show up in searches.
UK
Philip Young appears in Swindon court charged with 56 sexual offences against ex-wife – as five others also charged
A man has appeared in court charged with drugging and raping his ex-wife over a 13-year period.
Philip Young, 49, formerly of Swindon, has been charged with 56 offences, including multiple counts of rape, against Joanne Young.
He is also charged with administering a substance to allow sexual activity, as well as voyeurism, possession of indecent images of children and possession of extreme images.
Young appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court this morning and spoke only to confirm his name and address.
He declined to enter a plea and was remanded in custody until the next hearing at crown court on 23 January.
Philip Young was remanded in custody
The 49-year-old was taken to court in Swindon on Tuesday morning
Five other men have also been charged with sexual offences against Ms Young between 2010 and 2023. The 48-year-old has waived her legal right to anonymity.
The other men are on bail but are due in the same court at 2pm.
They are: Norman Macksoni, 47, of Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire. He is a black British national and has been charged with one count of rape and possession of extreme images.
Dean Hamilton, 47, of no fixed abode. He is a white British national and has been charged with one count of rape and sexual assault by penetration and two counts of sexual touching.
Conner Sanderson Doyle, 31, of Swindon. He is a white British national and has been charged with sexual assault by penetration and sexual touching
Richard Wilkins, 61, of Swindon. He is a white British national and has been charged with one count of rape and sexual touching
Mohammed Hassan, 37, of Swindon. He is a British Asian and has been charged with sexual touching.
The alleged offences took place between 2010 and 2023.
A Sandringham photograph of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the Epstein files has resurfaced at a particularly uncomfortable moment for the Royal Family, just days before they gather at the estate for Christmas.
Andrew is set to move to the King’s private Norfolk estate in the next few months, after he was officially stripped of his titles, honours, and his large home on the Windsor estate.
The picture was among the thousands of Epstein files by the US Department of Justice.
It shows Andrew lying across the laps of several women whose faces have been redacted.
Looking on and laughing is Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein’s former girlfriend.
The photo was taken in the stately saloon room at Sandringham House in Norfolk.
Prince Charles, now King Charles III, in the same room at Sandringham with Prince Edward in 1969. Pic: PA
Although the image is undated, we know Andrew organised a shooting weekend in 2000 for Ghislaine’s birthday.
It is a picture of intimate access to the inner royal sanctum.
Sandringham is a private royal retreat, and no one is invited here by chance.
Royal biographer, Andrew Lownie, said royal residences were used as “party places” by Andrew.
Andrew at the Royal Family’s Christmas Day service on the Sandringham estate in 2022. Pic: Reuters
“Epstein and Ghislaine took advantage of this,” he said. “They went to Balmoral, Sandringham and Windsor … This showed people just how close they were to the Royal Family.”
There’s no suggestion the wider family knew Epstein, but the timing is deeply awkward. This week Sandringham will once again host the Royal Family’s traditional Christmas gathering.
And the King will deliver his Christmas message to the country and Commonwealth.
Andrew isn’t invited to Sandringham and will be spending Christmas elsewhere. The Norfolk estate will soon become his new home; it’s understood the move will happen in the first quarter of next year.
A photo of the King at Sandringham released to mark his 77th birthday last month. Pic: @MilliePilks/Sandringham Estate
For years, Andrew let Epstein and Maxwell into his privileged world.
They were guests at the 18th birthday party of his daughter, Princess Beatrice.
Read more:
Outrage over incomplete Epstein file release
The links between Epstein and UK revealed in new files
Another photo released in the files shows Andrew, Epstein and Maxwell at Royal Ascot, a firm fixture in the royal calendar.
Epstein and his former girlfriend are also photographed at another shooting party, possibly at Balmoral.
Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell hunting, date unknown. Pic: US DOJ
We know the pair were once guests at the Scottish castle, pictured in the same lodge loved by the late Queen.
Mr Lownie said the pair enjoyed “extraordinary” access.
“It just shows how close Andrew was to them… for them to be socialising in these very private residences,” he added.
Andrew’s association with Epstein has cost him his royal roles, titles, and his beloved home.
He has always strongly denied any wrongdoing.
Sandringham Estate, Norfolk. Pic: PA
The images and documents released and revealed in the Epstein files contain graphic and traumatic content.
It is harrowing and retraumatising for Epstein’s victims.
And what continues to shock – is how a man like Jeffrey Epstein had proximity to the Royal Family. And why Andrew let it happen and stayed friends with him.
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