In the aftermath of last summer's murders, the UK's terrorism watchdog advised against redefining terrorism but proposed considering a new law to address individuals inclined towards mass killings.
The incident involved Axel Radukabana, 18, who fatally stabbed three girls and injured 10 others in Southport in July. Although this act was considered extremely violent by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, it wasn't classified as terrorism due to the absence of evidence linking it to a specific political or religious ideology. This decision was criticized because Radukabana was also found guilty of possessing ricin and an al Qaeda manual.
The Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation, Jonathan Hall, recommended against altering the current definition of terrorism. Instead, he suggested introducing a new offense targeting individuals planning mass killings, like Radukabana, with a potential life sentence. Hall underlined the dangers of mislabeling non-terrorist actions and the significance of protecting freedom of expression amidst such initiatives.
Hall also emphasized the importance of combating disinformation on social media subsequent to the Southport attacks and warned against the repercussions of insufficient communication from authorities, which may lead to public speculation and potential prejudice towards suspects before trials.
Introducing insightful and accurate information was encouraged to counteract misinformation and prevent public perceptions that could interfere with legal proceedings.