Nigel Farage has said that he wonders whether "the truth is being held from us" after the police deemed the Southport stabbings a "non-terror related incident."
Three children have been killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class and five other children remain in critical condition in hospital with stab injuries.
Two adults who are believed to have tried to protect the young victims also remain critically ill. A young man, aged 17, was arrested at the scene for murder and attempted murder.
Speaking on GB News, Farage said: "A premeditated attack on young kids. It's the summer holidays. Schools, of course, aren't there.
Nigel Farage said that he is "asking questions" about the incident
GB News
"Parents who work want to put their kids somewhere. Parents who are home want to put their kids somewhere.
"And so for these youngsters to go to a little Taylor Swift party, a very normal activity, somebody wilfully and deliberately went in there with a knife and stabbed several youngsters and some of the adults looking after them, and now three young girls that have died.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
- WATCH: Martin Daubney breaks down live on air after three children confirmed dead in the Southport stabbings
- Southport stabbings: Three girls killed in shocking attack named with youngest being just SIX years old
- Southport stabbings: Third child victim of horror attack named as ‘princess’ as family opens up on ‘immense pain’
"It is almost unimaginable to think that somebody on a premeditated basis could go and do this. I think it's the most shocking thing that has happened in the country since the Dunblane massacre.
"I can't think of anything in the intervening years that has shocked people so much that has led to quite a genuine outpouring of grief on a very large scale.
"Some TV presenters almost unable to hold back tears. That's how we all feel about this. There are some questions that are unanswered.
"A Telegraph report said that the man in question had been watched by the authorities. We don't know the truth of that. What we do know is we're told it's a non-terror incident.
Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, (left to right) were killed in the attackPA"Indeed, last week one of Lieutenant Colonels in Kent in full uniform was stabbed in the street. He's still alive and in a very serious condition. Again, we were told it was a non-terror incident.
"I'm just asking questions because I'm struck that every time something appalling happens we're told it's non-terror or it's mental health.
"There was nothing to worry our little heads about. We will, in the fullness of time, find out more.
"But given that the perpetrator is 17 years old, we may never find out who this person really is and what his motives were."
Mourners were pictured showing their support
PAFarage also said in a video on X that he wonders if "the truth is being held" from the public and said that it is a "fair and legitimate question."
A Merseyside Police statement said: "Their families, who are being supported by specialist officers, have issued photographs and have asked that their privacy is respected at this time."
The teenage boy, born in Cardiff and confirmed by police to be from Banks in Lancashire, remains in custody following the stabbings.
