Nigel Farage has launched a scathing attack on Britain’s counter-terrorism capabilities, claiming the country’s “ability to stop terrorists is dismal”.
Speaking on GB News, the former UKIP leader criticised what he called a “cover-up” in the case of Southport killer Axel Rudakubana.
He said the Crown Prosecution Service’s decision to tell Merseyside Police not to release basic information about Rudakubana was “a real disgrace”.
“The head of the CPS, his head should roll,” Nigel declared.
Nigel Farage hit out at the country’s failings in stopping Axel Rudakubana
GB NEWS / PA
Rudakubana had been referred to the government’s anti-extremism Prevent programme three times while at school due to his fixation with violence.
Police records show he had attacked a pupil with a hockey stick, carried knives into school and searched online for information about the London Bridge terror attack.
Axel RudakubanaPALancashire Police were called to his home five times between 2019 and 2022 over concerning behaviour.
He was also under the care of Alder Hey Children’s Hospital’s mental health services from 2019 until February 2023, when he stopped engaging despite continued offers of support.
The 18-year-old was sentenced on Thursday to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 52 years for murdering three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.
Rudakubana killed Bebe King, 6, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, 9, in Southport last July.
Nigel Farage spoke to Martin Daubney on GB News
GB NEWS
He also pleaded guilty to attempting to murder eight other children and two adults.
The sentence is the second-longest tariff on record in English history, after the Manchester Arena bomber’s brother.
Justice Goose said it was “highly likely” Rudakubana would never be free again.
“For daring to ask questions about this case, I got absolute vilification and hatred from senior politicians and mainstream broadcasters,” Nigel said.
He claimed both Kemi Badenoch and the Labour Party knew Rudakubana’s identity early on.
“If the public had known the truth about this guy, crazy conspiracies would not have spread online and the riots would have been nowhere near as bad,” he added.
Nigel criticised Sir Keir Starmer for only talking about “the far-right” while ignoring “evil ideologies allowed to persist within our community”.
A YouGov survey published today revealed that while 91 per cent of respondents blame Rudakubana for his actions, 70 per cent also hold counter-terrorism services responsible.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has ordered a “thorough review” of the Prevent referrals in this case.
A public inquiry will examine any “missed opportunities” to identify Rudakubana’s murderous intent.
The investigation remains “live”, according to Detective Chief Inspector Jason Pye, who has not ruled out further arrests in the case.