Southport attack inquiry blames ‘catastrophic’ failures by agencies and killer’s ‘irresponsible’ parents

Official report says system ‘completely failed’ because some form of violence by Axel Rudakubana had been ‘unambiguously signposted over many years’ No joined-up approach, role of autism and parental failings: key points from Southport inquiry Axel Rudakubana was able to carry out the Southport atrocity because of “catastrophic” failures by multiple agencies and the “irresponsible and harmful” role of his parents, a damning inquiry has found. Sir Adrian Fulford condemned the “inappropriate merry-go-round” of state bodies passing the buck and their “frankly depressing” refusal to accept responsibility, saying: “This culture has to end.” The inquiry chair said the murder of the three girls – Bebe King, six, Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven – and stabbing of 10 others was not a “bolt of lightning out of a clear blue sky”, adding: “Instead, some form of grave violence … had been clearly, repeatedly and unambiguously signposted over many years.” Fulford said the attack of “unparalleled cruelty” happened after a “complete failure” of Britain’s multi-agency model. He urged ministers to establish a dedicated age