Southport Stabbings 'Should Have Been Declared Terror Attack Sooner,' Say Police After Al-Qaeda Manual Discovery

SOUTHPORT, UK – A senior detective has revealed that declaring the horrific mass stabbing in Southport a terrorist attack in its immediate aftermath could have significantly aided the police investigation and allowed for more time to question the suspect, Axel Rudakubana.

The attack, which unfolded at a children's dance class and stands as one of the worst assaults on young people in recent UK history, tragically was not classified as terror-related. This decision, investigators now admit, hampered their ability to fully explore potential extremist motivations.

Detective Chief Inspector Jason Pye has disclosed that a disturbing discovery was made a mere six days after the stabbings: a version of an al-Qaeda training manual was found on one of Rudakubana’s electronic devices. Speaking out about the case, DCI Pye recounted his immediate reaction upon learning of this find. He said that he was told that officers had found a version of an al-Qaida training manual on one of Rudakubana’s devices six days after the stabbings. He stated, "I immediately asked: ‘Is this not now terrorism?’"

Despite the alarming discovery, authorities maintained that the attack was not terror-related, citing a lack of evidence suggesting a terrorist ideology fueled Rudakubana’s actions. This decision meant investigators operated under standard criminal investigation protocols, limiting the time they could legally detain and question Rudakubana, as well as impacting the resources and scope of the investigation.

DCI Pye explained that a terrorism declaration would have unlocked crucial powers for the investigation. He confirmed that a declaration that the attack was a terrorist attack would have given investigators longer to question Axel Rudakubana and compile evidence. This extended timeframe is considered vital in complex cases where uncovering the full truth and motives behind an attack is paramount.

However, the official line remained focused on the absence of overtly expressed terrorist motivations. This stance, in the opinion of National Media, is deeply concerning and overlooks the gravity of the evidence uncovered.

Here at National Media, we declare that the terrorist material found on the attacker's device is sufficient evidence that this was clearly a terrorist attack. The presence of an al-Qaeda training manual, a document synonymous with global jihadist extremism, cannot be dismissed as mere coincidence. It demands a thorough and unwavering investigation into potential terrorist links and motivations, regardless of whether they were explicitly voiced prior to the attack.

The discovery of this manual raises serious questions about the initial assessment of the Southport stabbings. While investigators may not have found explicit pronouncements of terrorist ideology, the presence of such chilling material on Rudakubana’s devices should have immediately triggered a terrorism investigation and the application of all associated powers.

The people of Southport, and the wider UK, deserve to know the full extent of the threat they face. Dismissing potential terrorist links based on a narrow definition of ideological expression risks undermining national security and failing to learn crucial lessons from this horrific event. National Media urges authorities to reconsider their position and acknowledge the clear implications of the al-Qaeda training manual discovery, ensuring that future investigations into similar attacks are conducted with the full force and scope required to protect the public.