Keir Starmer has pledged to promptly revise legislation to address the challenges posed by the online realm following the tragic events involving Axel Rudakubana’s homicides.
The resolute Prime Minister labeled Rudakubana as a “two-click killer” after the teenager managed to purchase two survival knives online, which he later used in a devastating attack at a Taylor Swift dance workshop, resulting in the loss of three lives and injuries to ten others.
Prior to his heinous act, Rudakubana also tried to procure a 20cm kitchen knife on two occasions, utilizing security measures to conceal his identity. Notably, a knife similar to the one he wielded during the attack costs a mere £1.70.
During a statement on Tuesday, the PM expressed deep concern, stating, “Despite clear indications of malicious intent, the individual was able to effortlessly acquire the murder weapon online without any hindrances. A two-click killer. This cannot persist.”
It was disclosed that the perpetrator had extensively searched the internet for violent content before the tragic incident, immersing himself in a “tsunami of violence” available online.
In contrast, Mr. Starmer, previously the Director of Public Prosecutions, highlighted Rudakubana as a new form of threat, distinct from politically or ideologically motivated terrorism. He described the trend of extreme violence carried out by isolated individuals seeking recognition through online exposure.
Addressing the press at Downing Street, he emphasized the need to safeguard children from the unrestricted access to violent content online, questioning the permissibility of such material on mainstream social media platforms.
Reports indicate that Rudakubana had also purchased materials to produce ricin on Amazon in 2022, prior to his violent outburst, exploiting loopholes in the system that allowed blades to be dispatched without proper identification. He had amassed an arsenal of weapons, including knives, machetes, and arrows, and had been caught carrying a blade over ten times.
The teenager has pleaded guilty to three counts of murder and possession of terrorism-related information and is awaiting sentencing.
Mr. Starmer is reportedly planning to implement two-step verification for all online knife purchases, mandating companies to validate buyers through digital scans of identification documents and live selfie videos to prevent unauthorized transactions.
In an article for The Sun, the PM raised concerns over the killer’s history of carrying knives since childhood. Anti-knife crime advocate Patrick Green from The Ben Kinsella Trust echoed the urgent need for reforms to regulate the sale of knives online.
Amazon responded by affirming its commitment to stringent age verification checks for all age-restricted items, including bladed products, and has initiated an investigation into the matter.
The online retailer stated that ID checks are conducted upon order placement and item delivery to ensure compliance with age restrictions, emphasizing their dedication to responsible product sales and customer safety.