The 18-year-old accused of murdering three young schoolgirls in Southport, and attempting to murder 10 other people, has now also been charged with attempting to make a biological weapon using the deadly toxin Ricin.
In addition, Axel Rudakubana is also facing a second new charge under the Terrorism Act, of possessing an Al Qaeda terror manual.
The dramatic announcement came from Merseyside police, after three months in which authorities indicated they had found no link to terrorism following the 29 July attack.
At a news conference at Merseyside police headquarters, Chief Constable Serena Kennedy told reporters that new evidence was discovered by officers searching Rudakubana's home in the aftermath of the attack.
Axel Rudakubana (court sketch)PA
Chief Constable Serena Kennedy speaks to reporters at Southport press conference
GB News
Chief Constable Kennedy said a substance was discovered and sent for analysis at the Government's Defence, Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) at Porton Down in Wiltshire.
That analysis confirmed the substance as the deadly poison Ricin.
Authorities say that Ricin was not used in the Southport attack, and no traces of the toxin were found at the Hart Space venue where the attack took place.
Rudakubana is already facing three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder, and a charge of possessing a bladed article.
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Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar died in the knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.
Eight other primary school-aged children and two adults, who were at the venue, were injured in the attack.
Merseyside police said that in addition to the Ricin found at the suspect’s home, investigators have also uncovered evidence alleging he had downloaded a terrorist manual.
Chief Constable Kennedy said Rudakubana's second new charge related to the "Possession of information, namely a PDF file entitled Military Studies in the Jihad Against the tyrants: the Al-Qaeda training manual.
"This is likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing to commit an act of terrorism, contrary to section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000."
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The fallout from the Southport attack saw widespread violent disorder in multiple towns and cities in England and Northern Ireland.
GB News understands that additional police resources are being put on standby following today's announcement of new charges.
The Merseyside Chief Constable said: "I want to reassure the communities of Southport and the communities of Merseyside that we are committed to getting justice for the families of Bebe, Elsie and Alice - the 10 victims who were injured at Heart Street, and the other 16 people who were present on that day.
"We are also committed to being open and transparent with our communities. However, I am sure you will appreciate that we also need to make sure that we do not prejudice this trial."
Despite the new charges, Counter Terrorism police say they are not declaring the Southport attack a terrorist incident.
Axel Rudakubana will appear before Westminster Magistrates' Court tomorrow to face the new charges against him.
