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Investigation ordered over Southport victims and survivors' data breach

Investigation ordered over Southport victims and survivors' data breach

Independent September 15, 2026

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Unauthorised HM Courts and Tribunals Service staff accessed sensitive personal details of victims, survivors, and witnesses of the Southport knife attack .

The data breach was identified during a review of Ministry of Justice digital systems, prompting disciplinary action against the staff involved.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham ordered Lord Chancellor Alex Norris to urgently oversee a further investigation into the incident.

The Ministry of Justice apologised for the breach, describing unauthorised access to court files as completely unacceptable, while the Information Commissioner's Office was notified.

Axel Rudakubana was jailed for life with a minimum term of 52 years for the July 2024 attack that killed three young girls and injured 10 others.

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