Labour minister Bridget Phillipson has told GB News about the “lessons learned” from Southport after the police response to an incident at Liverpool FC’s title parade in the city centre.
Nearly 50 people were left injured including four children after a car ploughed into a crowd during the football club’s Premier League victory parade.
The police were quick to confirm a 53-year-old white British man had been arrested and is believed to be the driver of the vehicle.
Eamonn Holmes asked Phillipson on GB News if the police’s prompt response was partly due to the problems that occurred in July last year when Axel Rudakubana carried out a killing spree in Southport.
Phillipson praised the police's response
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He asked: “What lessons did you learn from Southport?”
She responded: “There’s an inquiry that will take place into Southport, a range of questions will be asked.
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“I wouldn’t want to preempt that inquiry.”
Eamonn interjected: “From a governmental point of view, were you able to spruce up communications?
“What happened at Southport that you as a politician thought, ‘that can’t happen again?’”
Phillipson said the police “always consider improvements” but they are “operationally independent” and politicians should not be intervening in that regard.
Bridget Phillipson joined Eamonn Holmes and Emily Carver on GB News
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The GB News host responded: “One would have thought politicians involved themselves right from the start with what happened in Southport, the idea was, ‘don’t say too much’.”
Phillipson continued: “I think, without commenting on specific cases too much, it’s right we don’t speculate on ongoing investigations because I think the last thing any of us would want is to prejudice.”
Eamonn told the minister he is not asking her to speculate, he was just asking her about the difference in experiences but she was “determined not to answer”.
He continued: “It’s quite obvious there is a difference in procedure that has evolved since the whole awfulness of the Southport situation.
The aftermath of the scene in Liverpool Reuters “In a way, it’s actually commending you, you look like you have learned something and got something right.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer responded to the incident, saying: "The scenes in Liverpool are appalling – my thoughts are with all those injured or affected."
He also thanked the police and emergency services for "their swift and ongoing response to this shocking incident."
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner also expressed her reaction, sharing that she was "deeply saddened by the horrific scenes in Liverpool."
Shocking footage captured the terrifying moment the car drove through the crowds of celebrating Liverpool fans.
Despite people honking and fans attempting to stop the vehicle by smashing it, the driver accelerated into the packed crowd.
The heart-stopping video shows the chaos that ensued as the car plowed through supporters, causing panic among those gathered for what should have been a joyous celebration of Liverpool FC's Premier League victory.
The Prime Minister stated he was "being kept updated on developments" regarding the investigation and has asked "that we give the police the space they need to investigate."
Authorities are continuing to gather evidence as the investigation unfolds.
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