At a press conference this morning, Keir Starmer moved quickly to announce a public inquiry into the Southport murders. This comes after Axel Rudakubana pleaded guilty to murdering three girls in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift–themed dance class last year. The Prime Minister promised that ‘no stone’ will be ‘left unturned’ when it comes to asking the ‘difficult questions… unburdened by cultural or institutional sensitivities’.

Chief among these difficult questions is why – when Rudakubana had been referred to the counter-extremism Prevent programme three times – he wasn’t stopped? And is there any substance to claims by Nigel Farage of a ‘cover-up’?

Katy Balls speaks to James Heale and Danny Shaw, former adviser to Yvette Cooper.

Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

Photo: Merseyside Police

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