Southport Inquiry: publication of the Phase 1 Report

On Monday 13 April 2026 Sir Adrian Fulford, Chair of the Southport Inquiry, published his Phase 1 report.

Phase 1 of the Inquiry investigated the circumstances of the attack at a Taylor Swift themed dance class in which three young children lost their lives and others suffered life changing physical and psychological injuries.  The report explores the role of online harms, the availability of weapons for purchase, the role of the perpetrator’s parents and his contact with a range of public bodies prior to the attack.  

Laura Johnson KC was instructed in the Inquiry on behalf of Lancashire County Council by Paul Tarne of Weightmans.  The County Council’s role as a core participant was due to its responsibility for Adult and Children’s social care, its Child and Family Wellbeing Service, its role as the Local Education Authority, its responsibility for the Pupil Referral Unit attended by the perpetrator and its Child & Youth Justice Service.

➡️ The link to the report can be found here.

➡️ The link to the Chair’s closing remarks can be found here.

➡️ The terms of reference for phase 2 have also now been published here.