The top of the federal government’s counter-terror programme Forestall has reportedly stepped down after it was revealed that the Southport killer’s case was closed earlier than the assault.
Michael Stewart has stepped down from his function at Forestall, following a overview which revealed Axel Rudakubana’s case had been closed prematurely after he was referred thrice between December 2019 and April 2021.
Rudakubana was given a life sentence with a minimal time period of 52 years earlier this 12 months for murdering Alice da Silva Aguiar, 9, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on July 29 2024.
He additionally tried to homicide eight different youngsters, who can’t be named for authorized causes, in addition to class teacher Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes.
Three separate referrals had been made to Forestall about Rudakubana’s behaviour within the years earlier than the assault, in addition to six separate calls to police.
Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice da Silva Aguiar had been murdered at a Taylor Swift themed dance class in Southport (Merseyside Police/PA) (PA Media)
Mr Stewart has been the boss of Forestall since September 2020 and was on the head of the counter-terrorism programme when the assault was carried out final 12 months.
His departure, which has been reported by The Instances, comes after a overview discovered numerous failures into the dealing with of Rudakubana’s case.
The investigation discovered that although there was a adequate threat to maintain Rudakubana’s instances lively – they had been closed prematurely whereas an excessive amount of focus was positioned on a scarcity of distinct ideology.
Rudakubana had been referred to Forestall thrice between December 2019, when he was aged 13 and April 2021, when he was 14. These referrals had been made by his colleges.
The overview mentioned Rudakubana’s analysis of faculty shootings, speaking about stabbing folks and saying the terrorist assault on ‘MEN’, believed to consult with the Manchester Enviornment assault in 2017, “might have proven an actual curiosity in terrorism”.
Axel Rudakubana was sentenced in January 2025 (Elizabeth Prepare dinner/PA) (PA Media)
There had been adequate proof to refer Rudakubana to the following stage of the programme – known as Channel- however this didn’t occur.
The report additionally highlighted spelling errors of Rudakubana’s identify in referrals, though this didn’t cease the instances being linked.
Alongside the overview of Forestall referrals, House Secretary Yvette Cooper introduced {that a} public inquiry shall be held to take a look at any “missed alternatives” to determine Rudakubana’s murderous intent.
Asserting the findings of the overview within the Home of Commons earlier this 12 months, safety minister Dan Jarvis informed MPs that counter-terrorism officers had been flawed to shut his case “prematurely” when there was “adequate concern” to maintain it open.
Mr Jarvis mentioned: “The overview concluded that an excessive amount of focus was positioned on the absence of a definite ideology, to the detriment of contemplating the perpetrator’s susceptibility, grievances and sophisticated wants.”
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