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Southport victims' court records snooped on, MoJ apologises
Court staff with no link to the case read sensitive records of Southport victims and witnesses in 2024. The victims were only told now.
In brief
Court staff with no link to the case read sensitive records of Southport victims and witnesses in 2024. The victims were only told now. Southport victims have had their privacy breached twice. Each time, staff with no role in their case read their records, and the victims found out long after it happened. Originally…
Justice ministry says sorry
The Ministry of Justice has apologised to victims and witnesses of the Southport attack after their data was breached.
Breach happened in 2024
The breach took place in 2024, but victims have only just been told. The Prime Minister was informed last month.
Staff with no link to the case
The people involved were government employees at HM Courts and Tribunals who had nothing to do with the Southport case.
Sensitive records opened
Staff accessed records on victims, survivors and witnesses without good reason. Some of what they saw is understood to be sensitive personal data.
The attack behind the files
In July 2024, Axel Rudakubana carried out a stabbing spree at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport.
Three little girls killed
Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice DaSilva Aguiar were murdered in the attack.
Ministry says it is appalled
The MoJ said it recognises the distress the breach will have caused victims, survivors and their families.
“We are appalled that this happened and recognise the distress it will have caused victims, survivors, and their families.”
Called completely unacceptable
In its apology, the ministry said nobody should be able to look at court files without authorisation.
“unauthorised access to court files is completely unacceptable.”
Lord Chancellor takes charge
The Prime Minister asked Lord Chancellor Alex Norris to oversee an urgent investigation into the breach.
Discipline could be reopened
The new investigation could reopen disciplinary action against the staff who accessed the records.
Case closed before victims knew
Sky News reported that disciplinary action against those involved ended in April, before victims had even been told about the breach.
A promise of firm action
The ministry says anyone found to have done wrong will face serious consequences.
“All wrongdoing will be met with extremely firm action.”
Second breach this year
This is the second breach this year. In May it emerged that 48 NHS staff had looked at victims' medical records without good reason.
Instructor is horrified
Leanne Lucas, the instructor at the targeted dance class, said she was devastated and horrified, and that staff had abused their position.
“I am absolutely devastated and horrified that my privacy has been invaded when I was at my most vulnerable.”
Grateful, but betrayed
Lucas still thanks the staff who saved her life. But she said 48 people not involved in her care looked at the files of deeply traumatised victims.
“Nothing will take away my gratitude to the staff who saved my life”
Kept in the dark for years
Lucas was angriest that she was not told for almost two years.
“The decision to keep this from me for almost two years is a new low.”
Accusing bosses of a cover-up
Lucas says she is speaking out so that senior managers are held to account for what she calls an attempted cover-up.
“I want this scandal and the attempted cover-up by senior management exposed for what it is.”
Jailed for at least 52 years
Rudakubana got a minimum of 52 years for the three murders and for attempting to murder eight children, Lucas and businessman John Hayes.
In short
Southport victims have had their privacy breached twice. Each time, staff with no role in their case read their records, and the victims found out long after it happened.
