Axel Rudakubana was 'obsessed with Taliban and risked becoming left-wing extremist' aged just 15

On Tuesday, it was revealed that Rudakubana was recorded speaking about the Taliban and was said to have "extremist views" following involvement with Lincolnshire County Council's Child and Family Wellbeing Service in 2021.

Louise Lewis, a family support worker, said in an assessment dated November 1, 2021: "There have also been concerns in relation to Axel's extreme thoughts around what is going on in the world and politics which could put Axel at risk of being involved in left-wing extremist behaviours and his thoughts being said in the wrong environment may make him vulnerable."

Ms Lewis and her supervisor, Sharon Barrett, had previously made a visit to Rudakubana's family home in Banks, Lancashire, on October 4.

During the visit, the Southport triple murderer was said to have been vocal about politics, the American Government and the Taliban.

However, Ms Lewis said during the inquiry that she was unable to remember anything about how the conversation about the Taliban came up or any more details about what was said.

Counsel to the inquiry Nicholas Moss KC asked her: "Were you using left-wing extremist to refer to the Taliban or is that something different?"

She responded: "I can't remember."

When noting Rudakubana's "one-sided" view on what was "going on politically in the world", Ms Lewis said: "AR didn't seem to understand that his opinions and thoughts may cause upset to other people."

The inquiry was also told that an email was sent to colleagues at Lancashire County Council on October 12, 2021, giving an update on proscribed terrorist groups.

Ms Lewis was forwarded the email by Ms Barrett who added: "I think we need to look at this with Axel's parents."

Ms Lewis had no recollection of the email.

An email from Ms Barrett to Deb Cardwell, the supervisor for the targeted youth support team, sent on October 14, 2021, was also shown to the inquiry.

It said: "There are some concerns about how extreme some of Axel's views are and the risk that this could pose so may also need to refer to Prevent."

Ms Lewis said she could not remember why Rudakubana was not referred to the Government's anti-terror programme Prevent or why information from the meeting on October 4 had not been shared with other agencies.

Writing about the home visit, she also noted that Rudakubana spoke about not going to school.

She said: "When asked why, he would't share, only saying 'not until Alphonse does what I've asked him'."

When Alphonse, the teenager's father, was asked what this referred to, his son said: "You don't need to tell them, you don't have my permission."

Ms Lewis's note added: "It was clear Alphonse wanted to share this however mum also didn't want him to say anything, saying 'eh, eh, eh', waving her arms and indicated a zip action across her mouth."

But the support worker told the inquiry this was "nothing out of the ordinary" because families could be guarded.

The inquiry continues.