Keir Starmer to address nation from Downing Street as public inquiry is launched into Southport murders: Live updates

Good morning and welcome to MailOnline’s live coverage as Keir Starmer prepares to deliver an address to the nation from Downing Street on the Southport murders.

The Prime Minister will speak after the Government announced an inquiry into how the state failed to identify the risk posed by the killer Axel Rudakubana.

Rudakubana, who pleaded guilty on Monday to murdering three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in July, was referred three times to anti-extremism programme Prevent amid concerns over his fixation with violence.

But despite this and contact with other state agencies, the authorities failed to stop the attack which claimed the lives of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven.

The Prime Minister lashed out at the crimes committed by the ‘vile and sick’ teenager, who pleaded guilty to slaughtering three young girls in Merseyside in July.

Stick with us as we bring you live updates from Downing Street.