We will name police and social workers unless action taken, Southport families lawyer says
We will name police and social workers unless action is taken, Southport families’ lawyer says
Lawyer vows to expose systemic failures in preventing deadly attack
Chris Walker, the legal representative for the families of three girls killed in the Southport attacks, has stated that individuals who did not act to prevent the incident will be publicly named unless disciplinary measures are implemented. The victims—Bebe King, six; Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven; and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine—were murdered by 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in June 2024.
“There are five particular state entities which are causing us most concern, and we find their behaviour unacceptable,” Walker said. “Prevent, Lancashire Police, Lancashire Social Services, CAMHS, and FCAMHS.”
The public inquiry revealed “catastrophic” shortcomings in parental and local authority oversight, highlighting a repetitive cycle of referrals, evaluations, and transfers among agencies that failed to halt the “predictable and preventable” attack. Walker emphasized that the performance of these five entities was at a “totally unacceptable” level, and he is ready to identify specific individuals if appropriate action isn’t taken.
Walker pointed out that the attacker’s autism was misused as an excuse for his previous actions, leading agencies to overlook the real threat he posed. Inquiry chairman Sir Adrian Fulford criticized a culture where responsibility is passed between agencies or downplayed, urging an end to this pattern.
“The cause of somebody’s intention to cause mass murder is immaterial—it is the desire to cause mass murder that has to be prevented,” Walker said regarding Prevent’s role. “They’ve failed to implement the ideological consequences or understanding in terms of their various gateways.”
With the 760-page Phase One report finalized, Phase Two of the Southport Inquiry will commence immediately, focusing on the effectiveness of risk identification and management for individuals fixated on extreme violence. Walker warned that without meaningful change, the families will continue reliving the trauma of the incident with each new report.
“The families are living in a horror movie—and yesterday brought it all back,” he added. “Every time there’s a new report or a new incident, they are reliving the horror movie once again.”
Walker has already contacted the agencies and plans to follow up on disciplinary proceedings once the inquiry concludes. He stressed that the systemic failures, coupled with individual shortcomings, must be addressed to avoid repeating the same mistakes.
Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
