Teen accused of UK girls' murder in Southport charged with terrorism offence

Police mention no terror link but charged Rudakubana with ricin production and possession of Al-Qaeda manual

Britain's William and Catherine, the Prince and Princess of Wales speak to members of the emergency services during a visit to Southport Community Centre in Britain to meet first responders and the families of those caught up in the Southport knife attack earlier this year. Picture date: Thursday Oct 10, 2024. Danny Lawson/Pool via REUTERS

A teenager accused of murdering three young girls in a knife attack in northern England in July has been further charged with terrorism offences including the production of ricin, police and prosecutors said on Tuesday.

Axel Rudakubana, 18, is accused of killing the three young girls at a Taylor Swift dance event in Southport, murders which shocked the nation and provoked days of rioting across the country.

Police said the incident was still not being treated as terrorist related but said Rudakubana had now been charged with two further offences: production of a biological toxin, ricin, and the possession of an al Qaeda training manual.

"The matter for which Axel Rudakubana has been charged with under the Terrorism Act does not require motive to be established," said Merseyside Chief Constable Serena Kennedy. "For a matter to be declared a terrorist incident, motivation would need to be established."