Victims and witnesses of Southport stabbing attack at centre of 'completely unacceptable' data breach: Ministry of Justice issues apology

Victims and witnesses of Southport stabbing attack at centre of 'completely unacceptable' data breach: Ministry of Justice issues apology - See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source The Ministry of Justice has apologised to the victims and witnesses of the Southport attack after their data was breached. The 'completely unacceptable' breach occurred in 2024 but the victims have only just been told, while the Prime Minister was informed last month. It involved government-employed staff who had nothing to do with the case. In a statement, a MoJ spokesman said they were 'appalled' by the breach and that Lord Chancellor Alex Norris has launched an urgent investigation, which could reopen the disciplinary process against those involved. In July 2024, Axel Rudakubana murdered three little girls – Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice DaSilva Aguiar – in a stabbing spree at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport. Later that year, victim, survivor and witness records held by the MoJ were inappropriately accessed by staff at HM Courts and Tribunals. It is understood that some of the information accessed was sensitive and personal data. Police at the scene of the stabbing in July 2024. The data breach involving government-employed staff occurred that same year Bebe King (left), Elsie Dot Stancombe (centre) and Alice Dasilva Aguiar (right) died after Rudakubana carried out his attack Sky News reported that the disciplinary process against those involved ended in April this year before the victims were even informed about the breach. This is the second time this year that victims of the Southport attack have found themselves at the centre of a data breach. In May, it emerged that 48 NHS staff had inappropriately accessed the medical records of victims. Leanne Lucas, who was the instructor at the Taylor Swift-themed dance targeted by Rudakubana, said she was 'devastated and horrified' by the breach and claimed the staff 'abused their position'. She said: 'I am absolutely devastated and horrified that my privacy has been invaded when I was at my most vulnerable. 'Nothing will take away my gratitude to the staff who saved my life, but 48 people not involved in my care abused their position of trust to access the files of victims who have suffered unspeakable trauma. 'The decision to keep this from me for almost two years is a new low. 'I am speaking out as I want this scandal and the attempted cover-up by senior management exposed for what it is.' An MoJ spokesperson said: 'We are appalled that this happened and recognise the distress it will have caused victims, survivors, and their families. 'We apologise to those affected - unauthorised access to court files is completely unacceptable. 'This is now being investigated urgently, and the Prime Minister has asked the Lord Chancellor to oversee this. All wrongdoing will be met with extremely firm action.' Rudakubana was jailed for a minimum of 52 years for the murders of the three girls and attempted murders of eight other children, who cannot be named for legal reasons, as well as Ms Lucas and business leader John Hayes.