BBC News FAILS to mark Southport three-minute silence during live broadcast on anniversary of victims' deaths

WATCH HERE: Britain remembers Southport victims with impeccable three-minute silence

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GB NEWS

Alex Davies

By Alex Davies


Published: 29/07/2025

- 15:29

Updated: 29/07/2025

- 15:56

The BBC decided not to join in with the gesture to mark the anniversary of Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Alice da Silva's deaths

BBC News viewers hoping to pay their respects to the Southport murder victims on Tuesday afternoon were left having to look elsewhere after the channel decided against taking part in a three-minute silence to mark the anniversary of the horrific murders.

Tuesday marks one year since schoolgirls Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Alice da Silva tragically lost their lives at the hands of Axel Rudakubana while they were taking part in a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.


In order to pay tribute one year after the heartbreaking and horrific loss, Southport residents flocked to the town centre to take part in a three-minute silence as thousands lined the streets to pay their respects.

Footage from the three-minute silence was broadcast on several outlets, including GB News, but BBC News decided to broadcast its latest instalment of Verified Live.

Fronted by Matthew Amroliwala, the BBC News presenter was tasked with reading aloud the contents of the programme rather than participating in the silence.

"Live from London, this is BBC News," Amroliwala said as the clock struck 3pm.

BBC News: Matthew Amroliwala

BBC News: Matthew Amroliwala delivered headlines during the three-minute silence

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BBC

Not only did the show refuse to take part in the tributes, but there was no mention of Southport at all in the show's agenda.

Amroliwala went on: "The UN warns that the worst-case scenario of famine is currently playing out in the Gaza Strip.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

BBC News: Matthew Amroliwala

BBC News: Matthew Amroliwala at 3:01pm, just after the silence had started in Southport

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BBC

"That is what it looks like on the ground, we'll bring you the latest on the numbers now at risk, the aid that's getting in and the amount that's required.

"On today's programme, we'll speak live to the Norwegian Refugee Council. I'll also talk to the former Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, and we'll get the latest from Downing Street, where there's been an emergency cabinet meeting going on, talking about Gaza."

Southport silence

GB News broadcast live footage from Southport during the three-minute silence

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GB NEWS

Amroliwala turned his attention elsewhere soon after. "One other main headline. The Lionesses celebrate their Euros triumph with an open-top bus parade through central London," he said.

With the clock now at 3:01pm, there was still no mention of Southport, with Amroliwala continuing with the show.

Southport

Southport mourners paid their respects to the three young girls who were murdered last year

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GETTY

"Welcome to Verified Live. We're going to focus much of today's programme and the catastrophic situation in Gaza and the developing political response from the UK."

GB News has contacted the BBC for comment on its decision not to broadcast the Southport silence.