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Southport Incident
30 July 2024
Lead MP
Yvette Cooper
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
Crime & Law EnforcementNHSTaxation
Other Contributors: 11
At a Glance
Yvette Cooper raised concerns about southport incident in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
Yesterday morning in Southport, a devastating attack took place resulting in the tragic loss of three young lives: Bebe King, aged 6; Elsie Dot Stancombe, aged 7; and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, aged 9. Six other children and two adults remain hospitalized with injuries. The incident involved emergency services who responded swiftly, supported by local passers-by including NHS workers. A 17-year-old male was arrested at the scene. Merseyside police are conducting a serious criminal investigation alongside counter-terrorism police. No ongoing threat is believed to exist as of now. The Home Office and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government have pledged support for the community in Southport. The minister emphasises the importance of respecting families affected by this tragedy and avoiding misinformation online. A vigil has been organised in Southport tonight, reflecting on the solidarity among locals in dealing with such a difficult situation.
Rachael Maskell
Lab
Redcar
Question
The MP asks if there are any measures in place for identifying potential threats early on before attacks occur. She highlights the importance of mental health services in schools as a preventive measure.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the role of early intervention and support services, including school-based initiatives, to address risks proactively. The minister emphasises the need for comprehensive approaches involving community engagement and mental health provision.
David Amess
Con
Southend West
Question
The MP inquires about the role of social media platforms in preventing misinformation and ensuring accurate information is disseminated. He suggests a need for stricter regulations.
Minister reply
Agrees with the importance of addressing online disinformation. The minister mentions ongoing discussions with social media companies to enhance their responsibility in this regard.
James Cleverly
Con
Braintree
Question
The MP thanked the Home Secretary for her statement and expressed condolences to those impacted. He also acknowledged the bravery of the emergency services, NHS staff, and members of the public who intervened during the attack. The MP emphasised that it is too early to determine the cause but noted that once more information becomes available, there will be a time when questions need to be asked.
Minister reply
The Minister thanked the shadow Home Secretary for his support and echoed his words about the importance of supporting emergency services during investigations. She also agreed with his concerns regarding social media responsibilities and emphasised the need for the public to take responsibility in this regard.
Bill Esterson
Lab
Sefton Central
Question
The MP expressed condolences to the victims' families and acknowledged the efforts of emergency services and local individuals who helped during the attack. He emphasised the importance of showing support for the community and echoed concerns about social media responsibility.
Minister reply
The Minister thanked her hon. Friend for his words and paid tribute to the Member for Southport, highlighting the impact on communities facing such tragedies. She emphasised the Home Office’s readiness to work with local authorities to provide necessary support.
Layla Moran
Lib Dem
Oxford West and Abingdon
Question
The MP extended condolences and acknowledged the bravery of emergency services and individuals who helped during the attack. She asked about extra funding for councils to address long-term impacts and committed to returning to the House at an appropriate time to learn from any lessons identified.
Minister reply
The Minister welcomed the hon. Member’s words and recognised the impact on emergency workers. She highlighted the work of Victim Care Merseyside and family liaison officers, emphasising the Government's readiness to support communities.
Julian Lewis
Con
New Forest East
Question
The MP drew attention to a JustGiving link for raising money for bereaved families and highlighted the bravery of women who intervened in similar incidents. He called for recognition of such acts of heroism.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledged the right hon. Member's tributes to those showing bravery during tragic events, including individuals from Southport and other incidents.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
On behalf of myself and the DUP, I extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved, the devastated families and, importantly, those in hospital who are fighting for their lives. I also put on record my thanks to all the emergency services—the police and the ambulance service—and to those adults who made themselves available with no thought to their own safety. Parents—mums and dads—want to know that their children are safe, so does the Home Secretary agree that that must be the goal? Perhaps she can outline just how that can be achieved?
Minister reply
All of us will share the hon. Member’s emotion when we think about little children being affected in this way and just how devastating all of this is. There was a real determination to come together to support families and children, to never let a horrific incident like this stop all of us supporting our children, and for them to be out in the sun this summer.
Lee Anderson
Reform
Ashfield
Question
On behalf of myself and Reform UK, I offer my heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the children involved. I commend the Home Secretary: she has carried herself with great dignity today, so I thank her for that. What more can we do as a House to support these families and the emergency workers up in Southport?
Minister reply
I thank the hon. Member for his support for the people of Southport and all the families. This is heartbreaking for the families of Bebe, Alice and Elsie. Everyone there knows someone who maybe once went to that dance class, is a neighbour, or is deeply affected by what has happened. This is our opportunity to support them, the police, who are carrying out this crucial investigation, and all the local groups and organisations who are coming together to support each other at this very difficult time.
Jeremy Corbyn
Ind
Islington North
Question
I thank the Home Secretary for her statement about this utterly horrific incident and for the way she made it. In memory of those who have already lost their lives and those who are still suffering in hospital, can we challenge the whole knife culture that exists on the streets of many of our communities and constituencies?
Minister reply
I thank the hon. Member for his support for the families who are affected and for the people in Southport. He makes a wider point about the issues around knives and knife crime. This has to be a moral mission for all of us. There is wider debate that we will have on other days about some of those issues. For today, this is still about Bebe, Elsie and Alice.
Adnan Hussain
Ind
Blackburn
Question
I join the Home Secretary in expressing my deepest and heartfelt condolences to the families of Alice, Bebe and Elsie. Will there be additional support mechanisms put in place for all the emergency workers who attended the scene, to ensure their wellbeing is a priority?
Minister reply
Again, I welcome the support for the families and for all those who are not just grieving, but dealing with trauma today. The Merseyside police have already been getting the additional support that they need after saving lives on our behalf.
Shadow Comment
James Cleverly
Shadow Comment
The Conservative shadow expresses gratitude for the Home Secretary's statement and presence at Southport. He commends emergency services' bravery and urges respect for victims’ families, cautioning against misinformation online. Acknowledges need to understand how such an attack could occur but emphasises that it is too early to draw conclusions. Concludes by offering condolences to the families of Bebe, Elsie, and Alice.
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