Prevent Chief Resigns After Southport Attack Review

Michael Stewart, head of the UK government's counter-terrorism programme Prevent, has resigned following a damning review of the programme's handling of Axel Rudakubana's case, a Southport killer who murdered three young girls in 2024. The review highlighted that the Prevent programme prematurely closed Rudakubana's case despite multiple referrals and warnings about his concerning behavior, which included research into school shootings and carrying a knife. Spelling errors in Rudakubana's name and an overemphasis on the absence of a distinct terrorist ideology contributed to missed interventions. The Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, has announced a public inquiry to examine missed opportunities to prevent the attack. Stewart's departure follows criticism of his leadership and a controversial Home Office review on extremism. Rudakubana received a life sentence with a minimum term of 52 years for the attack.