Earlier, we told you that the teenager accused of murdering three young girls in the Southport stabbing attack in July was facing a terrorism charge.

Axel Rudakubana was previously charged with three counts of murder and 10 counts of attempted murder following the mass stabbing at a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop.

The terrorism charge came after an al-Qaeda manual was found in his home.

The biological toxin ricin was also found, for which he faces a charge of “producing a biological toxin, namely ricin, contrary to section 1 of the Biological Weapons Act of 1974.”

Downing Street has denied that any information about the attack – which was the subject of widespread speculation on social media – was withheld.

A spokesperson said charging decisions were “made independently by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)”.

This claim was echoed by Merseyside Police, who said: “You may have seen speculation online that the police are deciding to hide things from the public. This is certainly not the case.

“The CPS has given us detailed advice on what we can say publicly to ensure the integrity of court proceedings is protected, and we are therefore limited in what we can share with you now, while proceedings are taking place. “

“Serious questions to ask”

Favorite to become the new leader of the Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, said today’s developments were why she was reluctant to comment immediately after the attack, when false speculation about the suspect spread online.

She said on X: “Too many people, on all sides, jump to conclusions before all the facts are clear.

“As new information emerges, it is clear that serious questions need to be asked of the police, the CPS as well as Keir Starmer’s response to the whole situation.

“Parliament is the ideal place for this to happen. While we must respect the rules of contempt of court and not prejudice this case, it is important that there is a proper review.”

“The public has the right to know”

Despite statements from Number 10 and the police, his leadership rival Robert Jenrick said he was “seriously concerned that facts may have been hidden from the public”.

“This atrocity has aroused immense public concern,” he added.

“The public has the right to know the truth immediately.

“Any suggestion of a cover-up will permanently damage public confidence in the truth about crime in our country.”