After the riots following the Southport stabbings, Starmer addressed the nation. He took the opportunity to unveil a new “disorder unit” giving police powers to tackle “gangs of violent thugs” from travelling to areas to stir disorder. Speaking on the Southport killer, he emphasised that this was not the time for answering questions:
“There will be a time for questions. And we will make sure that the victims and families in Southport. Are at the heart of that process. That’s the very least that we owe these families. But we also owe them justice. So while there’s a prosecution that must not be prejudiced. For them to receive the justice that they deserve. The time for answering those questions is not now. And I remind everyone that the price for a trial that is prejudiced. Is ultimately paid by the victims and their families. Who are deprived of the justice that they deserve.”
After police finally announced that the killer, Axel Rudakubana, allegedly downloaded Al-Qaeda materials and obtained ricin—just before Budget Day—the Tories are lobbing accusations at Starmer for a cover-up. Now, the government’s briefing that senior officials were aware of these charges for the “last few weeks”. The real question: why did it take so long for the police to go public with the charges against the stabber? Expect more answers when Rudakubana faces trial in January…
Sarah Pochin at Reform Scotland’s manifesto launch event: “I really wanted to come on in a Reform tartan burka, but apparently I wasn’t allowed… One day let’s do one of these events not live-streamed. We’ll do all the naughty stuff…”