David Temkin KC, Sara Sutherland and David Illingworth represent 18 families at Southport Inquiry
September 25, 2025
David Temkin KC, Sara Sutherland and David Illingworth from Exchange Chambers, instructed by Nicola Ryan-Donnelly of Fletchers Solicitors, are acting on behalf of 18 families at the Southport Inquiry.
On 29th July 2024, Axel Rudakubana carried out a planned knife attack at a children’s dance event in Southport. He murdered three young girls. He inflicted very serious stab wounds on ten others, including eight young girls and two adults. Other children present during the attack sustained psychological injuries. David, Sara and David act for the families of the eight physically-injured girls and thirteen who were psychologically injured.
The Southport Inquiry has been set up to examine the circumstances surrounding the attack and the events leading up to it. This will include analysis of the timeline of the perpetrator’s history and interactions with various public bodies including criminal justice, education, social care, and healthcare. The Inquiry will assess the extent and quality of decision-making and information-sharing by local services and agencies.
The Inquiry began formally on 7th April 2025 when the Home Secretary issued the Terms of Reference. The Inquiry’s Chair is retired Court of Appeal judge, Sir Adrian Fulford.
Delivering the Opening Statement on behalf of the 18 families, David Temkin KC said, “the families we represent are acutely concerned that the evidence presently available indicates a series of system failings, complacency, a lack of curiosity and inadequacy”.
David concluded by saying that “there are many questions the families we represent wish to be posed to those who must be held accountable for errors and failings”. He added that “the Inquiry must confront the systemic failures that allowed such a horror to unfold”.
Nicola Ryan-Donnelly from Fletchers Solicitors said:
“This has been an incredibly emotional and challenging stage in the Inquiry for all of the families we represent. I’ve had the privilege of standing with them as they gave their statements, and I’m continually struck by their strength and honesty in such difficult circumstances.
“We will continue to support them every step of the way, working closely with counsel to make sure the right questions are asked and that their voices are heard throughout the process.”
