Police sources have said they were gagged from releasing key information about Southport killer Axel Rudakubana.
Detectives from Merseyside Police had wanted to provide details about Rudakubana's background, including his religion and his crimes, but were warned not to do so by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
Sources had also been keen to elaborate on a terrorist document and batch of ricin found at his home but were advised against it, reports The Telegraph.
Rudakubana pleaded guilty to themurder of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club on July 29 last year.
Rudakubana pleaded guilty to the three murders earlier this week
PA/Merseyside Police
A police source said there was frustration among those working on the case that they were being prevented from saying more.
They told The Telegraph: "As far as they are concerned the more information that is in the public domain the better as it negates the speculation and conspiracies."
Reform UK leader Nigel Faragequestioned why information was kept from the public. He said: "No one understands better than the Prime Minister the role of the CPS.
"He could have taken charge and given leadership with the truth about Axel Rudakubana but chose not to. He can’t face the truth, but the public can."
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: "I remain deeply concerned that information which could have been released to the public was suppressed.
"Jonathan Hall, the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, has expressed similar concerns. It is imperative that the Government’s inquiry covers public communications after these appalling murders."
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Tributes and candles to the victims of the Southport knife attackGetty
Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, (left to right)PA
Axel Rudakubana pleaded guilty to murdering three young girls in the Southport knife attack in July 2024PAIndependent reviewer of terrorism legislation Jonathan Hall KC has said far more information could have been put into the public domain by the Government and the police without prejudicing legal proceedings.
Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Parkinson admitted that the police’s actions reflected the CPS’s advice and defended the lack of transparency around the case.
Chief Constable of Merseyside Police Serena Kennedy said they had "constantly been in touch with the CPS" throughout the case. She said: "We have been accused of purposely withholding information, this is absolutely not the case.
"From day one we have been as open as we possibly could and have constantly been in touch with the CPS who have advised us on what information could be released. We have wanted to say much more to show we were being open and transparent, but we have been advised throughout that we couldn’t do so as it would risk justice being delivered."
Police at the scene in SouthportX/@ChauffeurWest
The community has come together to lay flowers outside Southport's town hall as a memorialPA
Rudakubana admitted to the production of a biological toxin, ricin, on or before July 29PAIn a statement, Parkinson said: "The position taken by the police and the Government on disclosure of information reflected the advice given by the CPS, which was accepted by them. It is important that it is understood why our advice needed to be given.
"In short, releasing that information earlier would have put the trial at risk. As has now become apparent, until Axel Rudakabana pleaded guilty on Monday to all offences with which he was charged, the CPS had been preparing for a full trial.
"No defence had been served, and so there was the potential that all evidence would be challenged.
"Public reporting of significant information before the conclusion of the trial, including about the actions of Axel Rudakabana on the day and some elements of his past history would have posed a serious risk to the integrity of the trial and risked undermining justice for the victims and their families."
