The families of those killed or wounded in the Southport attack were not told for six months that the killer had repeatedly been referred to Prevent, the Guardian has learned.
Police knew that Axel Rudakubana had been referred three times to the official scheme aiming to stop people becoming terrorists, less than 24 hours after his arrest at the scene of the atrocity on 29 July 2024.
Rudakubana unexpectedly pleaded guilty last Monday as his trial was due to start, to offences including murdering three children at a dance class and 10 attempted murders.
His referrals to Prevent, once in 2019 and twice in 2021, were revealed by the Guardian shortly after his guilty pleas, and then reported by other news media. Official confirmation to the families only came later that evening.
Police have justified their actions citing advice from the Crown Prosecution Service, which is responsible for criminal prosecutions in England and Wales.
It insisted that any information about Rudakubana’s background released before a trial could be deemed prejudicial to a fair trial and he could escape conviction.
Some, mainly on the political right, have claimed the withholding of information is evidence of a cover-up.
Merseyside police said: “We can confirm that the families were informed about the Prevent referrals in relation to Axel Rudakubana on Monday afternoon following his guilty pleas.
“The victims and families had not been advised about the individual referrals prior to that because some of the victims were due to give evidence in court and this would have been prejudicial to the case.
“Families had however been informed that there was information that we wanted to share with them in relation to the offender, but due to that information being prejudicial to the case it would be shared at the appropriate time.”
One police source said that the families, who either lost loved ones or whose loved ones were attacked, had become close. Thus there was concern that telling one family, such as those not scheduled to testify at a trial, could lead to others finding out.
The evidence against Rudakubana was overwhelming and shortly after being arrested he admitted killing the children, even saying “I’m so glad those kids are dead”.
A CPS source said they had ordered the clampdown on information about the his past “to protect the trial”.
Rudakubana and his legal team had failed to offer any defence to the evidence of his guilt. Prosecutors and police went into the start of the trial concerned the erratic defendant could suddenly offer one.
Furthermore, the CPS source said, prosecutors had submitted to the court a “bad character” application, wanting to admit as evidence his past violence and Prevent referrals.
Prevent operates for people before they have committed terrorist crimes and is also voluntary.
A Crown Prosecution Service spokesperson said: “We made sure families were informed before the trial of the potential for evidence from Rudakubana’s past to be brought forward as part of a bad character application, and that they would be informed of the content of any application before it was set out in open court.
“Following Rudakubana’s unexpected guilty plea, we worked with police to notify families swiftly, and our thoughts remain with all those whose lives were shattered by Rudakubana’s horrific crimes.”
A review of Prevent’s decision making, understood to be critical, has been shared with families.
It was expected to be made public this week, but it is now thought that has been delayed until next week.
Police have made it clear they thought more could have been said and in the aftermath of the case, a loosening of contempt rules is under review.
