“Urgent investigation” launched by MoJ following Southport attack data breach

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has launched an “urgent investigation” after court files detailing victims, their families and survivors of the Southport attack in July 2024 were accessed without authorisation.

According to the MoJ, the issue was identified through a review of its digital systems.

It said: “The Ministry of Justice's independent Data Protection Officer has assessed the matter and determined that, for a limited number of individuals, the information accessed included sensitive and personal data, likely to result in a high risk to their rights and freedoms.

“HMPPS and HMCTS are now investigating this, and any victims impacted are being notified directly and the Information Commissioner's Office has been informed.”

The MoJ found no evidence that personal data had been shared with third parties.

This comes after North-West Ambulance Service issued a formal investigation in July into whether staff “inappropriately” accessed the medical records of Southport attack victims.

The service confirmed it had identified concerns about potential inappropriate access to patient records.

Lawyers representing one of the girls said a recent string of patient data breaches had highlighted “a deep-rooted culture of snooping within the NHS”.

On 29 July 2024, Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Alice da Silva Aguiar were killed by Axel Rudakubana (AR), at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.

A Ministry of Justice 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.”