Southport ‘attacker’ charged with possession of Al Qaeda manual and ricin

Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy appealed to the public not to speculate about the Southport attack, saying: “At this time, Counter Terrorism Police have not declared the events of 29 July as a terrorist incident.

“I am aware that these new charges may give rise to speculation. The matter for which Axel Rudakubana is charged under the Terrorism Act does not require the determination of motive. In order for an event to be declared a terrorist incident, motivation must be established.

“I strongly advise anyone not to speculate about the motivation for this case. The criminal case against Axel Rudakubana is ongoing and he has the right to a fair trial.”

For an act to be officially considered terrorism by UK authorities, it must meet a set of legal tests set out in the Terrorism Act 2000, drawn up more than two decades ago.

The law requires that the incident involve the use or threat of serious violence or serious damage to property, be designed to influence the government, intimidate the public or a section of the public, and be motivated by a political, religious, racial or ideological motive.

While the first two hurdles are quickly being overcome in cases of bombings, stabbings and mass violence, the need to prove that an attack was designed to serve a broader purpose is now increasingly difficult.

Ms Cooper warned against speculation after the new charges were announced, saying: “The most important thing is that justice is delivered for Bebe, Alice and Elsie and their heartbroken families and everyone affected by the attack, and no-one should risk that.”

The identity of Rudakubana, who was born in Cardiff to a Rwandan family, was revealed when the judge lifted the reporting restriction following an application made by the press.

He was supposed to appear in court last Friday, but the hearing on the murder charges was postponed until November 13. He will now appear at Westminster magistrates’ court on Wednesday in relation to the new charges.