Should Wayne O'Rourke be released with compensation over Southport tweet?

More evidence suggests Southport killings were a terror attack after all

COMMENT By Oliver May

THERE appears to be mounting evidence that the Southport murders were in fact a terror attack.

And that means at least one person jailed for tweeting just that should be released immediately – and with compensation.

Wayne O’Rourke was sentenced to three years in prison for posts he published on X [formerly Twitter] on July 29, 2024 and August 2, 2024, relating to the Southport murders of three children, which read:

“Don’t let them gaslight you. Today was a terror attack by a Muslim. He attacked and killed innocent children. Heads must roll for this. I am fucking livid.”

And:

“I’m telling you, the ‘Welshman’ who killed them kids was a Muslim. I stand by it.”

On Friday, Mail Online published a story which claimed that ‘Ministers are likely to have been told ‘within hours’ that ricin had been found in the home of the Southport killer, experts said amid continuing claims of a ‘cover up’.

Mail Online reported: “Counter terrorism and biological weapons experts said that confirmation the toxin had been discovered would have been briefed to ministers due to fears about its potential use by terrorists.

“Police revealed on Tuesday that Axel Rudakubana, the 18-year-old suspect in the Southport stabbing, has been charged with producing the biological toxin ricin and possessing information about an al Qaeda training manual.

“In response, both Conservative leadership candidates said the Government had questions to answer about the disclosure amid claims the information had been kept from the public.

“Number 10 has insisted it is ‘not correct’ to say ministers had withheld facts and it was the role of the police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to ‘speak for their investigations and charging decisions’.”

According to journalist David Atherton: “The Mail spoke to Counter Terrorism and biological experts who believe the Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper “knew within hours” of the discovery of the deadly chemical ricin and the Al Qaeda terrorist manual.

“The suspect's house was raided on the day of the stabbings. One of my followers claims to be a crime scene investigator. There is a video on the day of one of them entering the house in a Hazmat suit. He said that would not happen normally for a stabbing. He implies they might have had extra information, shall we say. We are being gaslit.”

So why are we, the British public, being treated this way? The answer may lie in a Sunday Times article, which appears to suggest the public are not trusted by governments and are seen as free to be manipulated.

Baroness Claire Fox said: “Details in this Sunday Times article are extraordinary but unsurprising: Seems the PUBLIC are seen as a problematic threat to be managed/manipulated. Surely CPS impartiality is compromised by this decision?”

If the Southport ricin charge was delayed by riot fears, as the Sunday Times suggests, then why did the Government choose to jail anyone who made reference to the attack being terror related? Surely they knew the truth would come out?

And now this evidence has started to emerge, how can people such as Wayne O’Rourke possibly remain behind bars any longer?

The disclosure prompted demands from Conservatives Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch for the Government to explain why facts may have been withheld about the Southport attack suspect amid claims of a cover-up.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has accused the Conservatives of “undermining the police” in their difficult task with their comments.

But is that not a bit rich coming from someone who could be blamed for inciting UK-wide riots with his insistence on labelling anyone with legitimate concerns over illegal immigration as “Far Right”?

There is no active “Far Right” movement and there hasn’t been for more than 10 years. The Prime Minister knew this. But in response to his statements, thousands of people lined the streets ready for a fight against the so-called “Far Right”.

And in any case, those comments from Jenrick and the now Tory leader Badenoch were not undermining the police. They were questioning the UK Government’s actions. Because they delayed the ricin charge after fearing a public reaction. A reaction which would have been sparked because they were right all along.

And if they were right all along, why are people still in jail?

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