‘Terrorism has changed’: Southport knife attack a sign the country faces a new threat, PM says
Sir Keir Starmer has said Britain faces a new threat and that terrorism has changed in light of the Southport attack last summer.
Speaking the day after Southport murderer Axel Rudakubana admitted murdering three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class, the prime minister said the incident “is a sign Britain now faces a new threat”.
“Terrorism has changed,” he told a news conference in Downing Street.
“In the past, the predominant threat was highly organised groups with clear political intent. Groups like Al-Qaeda. That threat, of course, remains.
“But now, alongside that, we also see acts of extreme violence perpetrated by loners, misfits, young men in their bedroom accessing all manner of material online, desperate for notoriety, sometimes inspired by traditional terrorist groups, but fixated on that extreme violence seeming only for its own sake.”
On Monday, Rudakubana unexpectedly pleaded guilty to murdering Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, on 29 July last year on what was due to be the first day of his trial.
After his guilty plea, it emerged Rudakubana was referred to the Prevent scheme three times in the 17 months before the attack over concerns about his fixation with violence, but on each occasion a judgement was made that he did not require intervention.
Sir Keir said those decisions were “clearly wrong” and “failed” the families of the victims.
When addressing the question of whether the attack was terrorism, the prime minister said the “blunt truth” was that Britain faces “a new threat” and that “terrorism has changed”.
“We also see acts of extreme violence perpetrated by loners, misfits, young men in their bedroom accessing all manner of material online, desperate for notoriety, sometimes inspired by traditional terrorist groups, but fixated on that extreme violence seeming only for its own sake.”
The government will review the country’s “entire counter terrorism system”, the prime minister added.
Sir Keir said attackers are “becoming harder to spot” and the UK cannot have a system that fails to tackle people who are a danger to others.
“If the law needs to change to recognise this new and dangerous threat, then we will change it, and quickly.”
He says that children need to be protected from the “tidal wave” of violence available online.
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Southport murderer – what you need to know
Anyone referred to the Prevent scheme is assessed and if deemed a terrorism risk referred to another programme, Channel, although many referrals don’t result in any further police action.
Rudakubana admitted yesterday to 10 counts of attempted murder and possession of a kitchen knife during the attack in the Merseyside town.
A week before the attack, Rudakubana, then 17, booked a taxi to take him to Range High School in Formby, but his father stopped him from leaving, it is understood.
The teenager, who has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, was expelled from the school in about 2019 over claims he was carrying a knife after telling Childline he was being racially bullied and brought the knife to protect himself.
It is understood that, after his exclusion, he returned to the school to target a former bully or someone he had a grievance with and assaulted someone with a hockey stick.
Rudakubana then attended two specialist schools, where teachers were concerned about his behaviour.
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Digital driving licences will be introduced later this year under plans to use technology to “overhaul” public services.
The licences will be available on a new government mobile phone app and will be accepted as a form of ID for buying restricted items like alcohol and for voting in elections, as well as proving someone’s right to drive.
Veteran cards will also be available on the “GOV.UK Wallet” app when it launches this summer, with DBS checks, Blue Badges and other government-issued credentials to come later down the line.
Science Secretary Peter Kyle said the app “will mean that every letter or identity document you receive from the government could be issued to you virtually”.
Politics latest: Sir Keir Starmer says ‘terrorism has changed’
The changes follow a report which found that public services were missing out on £45bn in productivity savings because of old and outdated technology.
The app will also aim to make using government services easier, such as applying for childcare and benefits, finding an apprenticeship or reporting a lost passport.
Other features will include notifications on new policy and service announcements, while an AI chatbot may be added in the future to help people find answers to “complex and niche questions”, the government said.
Physical documents will still be available, but the aim is that all government services will have to offer a digital alternative by the end of 2027.
The digital documents will make use of technology built into smartphones, like facial recognition, so they “will be more secure, even if a device is lost”, the government said.
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Mr Kyle added: “Along with CDs, the Walkman and flip phones, the overflowing drawer rammed with letters from the government and hours spent on hold to get a basic appointment will soon be consigned to history.
“GOV.UK Wallet will mean that every letter or identity document you receive from the government could be issued to you virtually.
“For people who choose to use GOV.UK Wallet, they will find it easier to prove they’re entitled to benefits or check their age when buying alcohol or DIY equipment, with more security and trust than ever before.”
Several countries have already introduced digital licences, including Australia, Denmark, Iceland and Norway, as well as some US states.
In the EU, every member state will be required to introduce at least one form of digital ID by 2026.
Sir Tony Blair has been pushing for national ID cards. Pic: PA
The announcement stops short of compulsory national ID cards, as pushed for by former Labour prime minister Sir Tony Blair and former Tory leader Lord William Hague.
The pair have previously joined forces to call for a new ID incorporating details such as a passport, driving licence, tax records, qualifications and right-to-work status, which could be stored on a mobile phone.
Sir Tony tried to introduce such a scheme when he was in power but it was scrapped by the coalition government.
He argued it could save the Treasury £2bn a year in the long run and help control migration, but the idea was swiftly ruled out by Labour after it won the general election in July.
Opponents of ID cards have raised concerns about privacy and what they see as unnecessary data collection by the state.
Storm Eowyn has been named by the Met Office ahead of strong winds across the UK on Friday and into Saturday.
The winds, caused by low pressure, will lead to disruption such as damage to buildings, power cuts and flying debris which could threaten lives.
It will also cause disruption to travel, with road, rail, airports and ferries likely to be affected.
The storm is expected to sweep close to or over the northwest, bringing “very strong” south-easterly and south-westerly winds.
The Met said gusts could reach 60mph inland and 80mph in coastal areas but should lose some of their force on Saturday.
People should beware of potential large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties by the strong gusts.
The Met Office has also issued yellow weather warnings for “very strong winds” across the UK for 24 hours on Friday.
The warnings for Friday. Pic: Met Office
The areas set to be affected by the storm on Friday include East Midlands and West Midlands, London and southeast England, northwest England, southwest England, Wales, Yorkshire and Humber.
Parts of Tayside & Fife, Grampian, Highlands and Eilean Siar, Northern Ireland, Orkney and Shetland, southwest Scotland, Lothian Borders and Strathclyde, will also be affected.
For Saturday, a yellow wind warning is in place for parts of northern England and Scotland.
Eowyn is the fifth named storm to hit the UK since the end of October.
To minimise travel disruption, the Met recommends being prepared by checking road conditions and timetables beforehand if planning on driving or using other means of transport.
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When it comes to the risk of power cuts, people should consider gathering essential items such as torches and batteries and a mobile phone power pack.
Those living in coastal areas should exercise caution as “even from the shore large breaking waves can sweep you off your feet and out to sea”, the forecaster added.
A 36-year-old man and a six-year-old girl have been found dead inside a house in West Lothian.
Police Scotland said officers made the discovery following a report of concern for a person in Harburn Drive, West Calder, at about 4pm on Monday.
The force said the deaths are being treated as “unexplained” and post-mortem examinations will take place in due course.
A forensics tent has been erected at the house
The man and girl’s relatives have been made aware and are being supported by specialist officers.
Police Scotland said “extensive enquiries” are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.
The property has been taped off by police
Chief Inspector Elaine McArthur-Kerr said: “We understand this incident may be very upsetting and worrying for the people living in this community and would ask anyone with any concerns to speak to us.
“A police presence will remain in the area while we carry out investigations and anyone with any concerns, or information, can approach these officers.”
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The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) was called to the scene when the alarm was raised and helped emergency service partners to gain access to the house.
A SFRS spokesperson said its crew left about an hour later.
Pic: PA
While the house is located near to the village’s Parkhead Primary School, the local authority said the girl was not a pupil.
A West Lothian Council spokesperson said: “We’d urge anyone with any information to contact Police Scotland to assist with their enquiries.
“Other than its proximity to the reported incident, we have reassured parents and pupils that this incident has no connection to Parkhead Primary School.
“Our school remains open as normal.”
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