Reform MP Nigel Farage has posted to X to ask Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner to correct the record on the Southport murders.
Mr Farage posted:
I questioned whether the Southport attacker was known to authorities and linked to terrorism.
Our Deputy Prime Minister accused me of stoking up conspiracy theories.
The time has come for @AngelaRayner to apologise.
Mr Farage's letter to Angela Rayner:
Rt Hon Angela Rayner MP
House of Commons
London
SW1A OAA
Nigel Farage MP
Member of Parliament for Clacton House of Commons, London SW1A OAA Nigel Farage.MP@parliament.uk
23rd January 2025
Dear Angela Rayner,
As you'll no doubt be aware, Axel Rudakubana, the suspect in the horrific murders in Southport, has pled guilty to all charges put to him, including under Section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000. Additionally, we know now that the Prime Minister was made aware of Mr Rudakubana's terror links but decided to conceal this information from the public.
Shortly after the brutal attack I questioned whether the public was being told the truth, and whether this was, in fact, a terror incident, even when the police stated that it wasn't[1]. I stated:
'I just wonder whether the truth is being withheld from us. I don't know the answer to that, but I think it is a fair and legitimate question. What I do know is something is going horribly wrong at our once beautiful country." [2]
In response to my comments, you stated that:
"He [Nigel Farage] must understand that you have a level of responsibility, you're a community leader, you're elected to represent your constituency.
"And therefore you have a level of responsibility with that, and it's not to stoke up what conspiracy theories or what you think might have happened, or lean into what you think."
I'm writing to ask you to apologise – not to me, but to the millions of Britons that you deliberately misled in choosing such an inappropriate moment to spread misinformation. By choosing to make such nakedly political points at a time of national vulnerability you undoubtedly contributed to the civil unrest that ensued. As Deputy Prime Minister of this country you have a duty to respond responsibly and not - ironically - create fake news by criticizing others for stirring up fake news when they have done no such thing.
I've no doubt that you would like to take this opportunity to correct the record.
Yours,
Nigel Farage MP
1 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd1e8d7llg9o
2 https://x.com/Nigel_Farage/status/1818324204661420291
https://twitter.com/Nigel_Farage/status/1882399616978792816
