Ministers, police and prosecutors face fresh questions tonight after new details emerged about the alleged Southport killer.
Axel Rudakubana, 18, was charged with a terror offence after being accused of possessing an Al-Qaeda terror manual and, in a separate charge, producing the deadly toxin Ricin.
Downing Street has denied withholding information, as the two Tory leadership contenders and a former Home Secretary questioned whether there had been a cover-up after the announcement of a terror charge against the suspect.
The revelations have led to demands for Sir Keir Starmer to address Parliament over what the authorities knew in the wake of the atrocity in July.
Chief Constable Serena Kennedy insisted the killing of three girls, and the attempted murder of eight others, was not being treated as a terrorist incident, despite the discovery.
The Home Office has drawn up emergency plans to ensure police officers can be drafted in quickly to prevent fresh riots and violent disorder in the wake of the decision, amid fears the update in the case could be hijacked by extremists.
Former Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick said: “As the dad of three daughters, the Southport attacks hit me personally.
“Of course, the legal process needs to be respected but I am seriously concerned that facts may have been withheld from the public here.
“The Government and authorities told us for months they were not treating this as a terrorist incident. But today, the attacker has been charged with terrorist offences and it’s revealed that he’d allegedly been reading Al Qaeda manuals.
“This atrocity was of immense public concern. The public had a right to know the truth straight away.
“Any suggestion of a cover-up will permanently damage public trust in whether we’re being told the truth about crime in our country. Keir Starmer must urgently explain to the country what he knew about the Southport attack and when he learned it.”
Downing Street insisted the timing of the latest charging announcement was a matter for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
Fellow Tory leadership candidate Kemi Badenoch added: “After the Southport murders and the ensuing protests and riots, some people asked me why I wasn’t commenting. This is why.
“Too many on all sides rush to conclusions before all the facts are clear. As more information emerges, it is quite clear that there are serious questions to be asked of the police, the CPS and also of Keir Starmer’s response to the whole situation.
“Parliament is the right place for this to happen. While we must abide by the rules of contempt of court and not prejudice this case, it is important that there is appropriate scrutiny.”
Rudakubana is already charged with the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, who were fatally stabbed during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Hart Street, Southport, on July 29.
He is also charged with the attempted murder of eight other children, instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes, as well as possession of a knife.
Former Home Secretary James Cleverly added: “The Government has to recognise its responsibility to inform the public, avoid information vacuums, or the appearance of hiding away from uncomfortable facts.
“The Home Sec must take the first opportunity to explain what is happening in light of these charges.”
The attack has not been declared as a terrorist incident by counter-terror police, Ms Kennedy said.
She added: “I recognise that these new charges may lead to speculation. The matter for which Axel Rudakubana has been charged under the Terrorism Act does not require motive to be established.
“For a matter to be declared as a terrorist incident, motivation would need to be established. I would strongly advise anyone against speculating as to the motivation in this case.
“The criminal proceedings against Axel Rudakubana are live and he has a right to a fair trial.”
The police chief urged people not to engage in “rumour and speculation”.
She said: “We must not lose sight of the families of Elsie, Bebe and Alice, who are still grieving, and the families and those victims who were present at Hart Street on July 29.
“We need to do the right thing to ensure that the justice process is not prejudiced.”
Dr Renu Bindra, senior medical adviser at the UK Health Security Agency, told the press conference experts undertook a thorough public health risk assessment following the discovery of Ricin.
She said: “There was no evidence that any victims, responders or members of the public were exposed to Ricin, either as part of the incident or afterwards.
“Our detailed initial risk assessment judged that the risk to the community and the wider public was low.”
Rudakubana is alleged to have entered the school holiday dance class, at a small business park in Southport, shortly before midday.
Elsie and Bebe were pronounced dead at the scene. Alice was pronounced dead at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in the early hours of the next day.
The day after the attack, thousands turned out for a peaceful vigil in the town but later a separate protest erupted into violence outside a mosque in the town.
In the following week, protests took place in dozens of towns and cities across the country and descended into violence and rioting, with asylum centre hotels in particular targeted.
Downing Street denied the Government had been involved in the timing of the charging announcement.
A spokeswoman said: “No, charging decisions and when those are made are for the CPS.”
She also said it was “not correct” to say the Government had been involved in withholding facts from the public.
