MINISTRY OF JUSTICE APOLOGISES OVER SOUTHPORT ATTACK DATA BREACH

It has emerged that staff at HM Courts and Tribunals Service accessed personal data belonging to victims, survivors and witnesses of the Southport stabbing attack without authorisation. Some of those affected have been told that employees with no connection to their cases looked up their private details. The Ministry of Justice said the breach is likely to result in a high risk to the rights and freedoms of those involved. The issue was found during a review of the department's digital systems, and the staff involved faced disciplinary action. The department apologised, saying it is "appalled" by what happened and calling unauthorised access to court files "completely unacceptable."

The Southport attack happened at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, Merseyside, in July 2024, when Axel Rudakubana killed three girls: Alice da Silva Aguiar, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Bebe King. Eight other children and two adults were also injured in the knife attack. Rudakubana was jailed for life with a minimum term of 52 years. An inquiry into the case found the attack could and should have been prevented had public bodies acted, and had Rudakubana's parents done what they morally ought to have done. It is this same group of victims, survivors and witnesses whose court records were accessed without permission.

Lord Chancellor Alex Norris has been asked to carry out a further investigation, which could lead to additional disciplinary action, the Ministry of Justice said. The Information Commissioner's Office has been informed of the breach. The department said the prime minister has asked the Lord Chancellor to oversee the investigation, adding that "all wrongdoing will be met with extremely firm action." Prison and courts chiefs are separately investigating how the breach happened.