A former chairman of the Conservative Party has claimed that the beginning of Southport attacker Axel Rudakubana’s trial was scheduled on the same day as Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration as “a calculated and cynical move by the Labour Government to ‘bury bad news’ behind international headlines”.
The claim echoes other social media posts over recent months which make various claims about the timing of both events on the same day.
Evaluation
This is a false claim. The trial date is set by the courts, not the Government. The trial was scheduled months before Mr Trump’s victory in the US presidential election.
The facts
The trial date was set for January 20 2025 during a hearing on August 1 2024 by Honorary Recorder of Liverpool Andrew Menary KC – the judge who allowed Rudakubana’s name to be published despite him being under 18 at the time he was charged.
This was more than three months before the US presidential election was held on November 5.
While it was not known at the time the trial date was set that Mr Trump would become the next president, the US inauguration ceremony always takes place on January 20, or on January 21 if the 20th is a Sunday.
Trial schedules are set by the courts, never by the Government.
The Government’s website states: “If the defendant pleads not guilty to the crime the court will need to arrange a trial to receive evidence about what happened. At the first hearing the court will ask for information about the case, set a trial date and make court orders (‘directions’) about getting the case ready for trial.”
Not guilty pleas were entered on Rudakubana’s behalf at Liverpool Crown Court on December 18 2024. His trial was expected to last four to six weeks.
Because Rudakubana pleaded guilty on the morning of January 20 the trial did not go ahead as planned.
Links
Edelman Global Advisory
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A stabbing attack, viral falsehoods and fears of a summer of unrest in the UK (archived)
Southport attack: CPS authorises murder charges (archived)
National Archives – 2024 Electoral College Results (archived)
When is inauguration day? (archived)
Gov.uk – Criminal procedure rules 2020 and criminal practice directions 2023 (archived)
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Gov.uk – Media advisory notice – trial of Axel Rudakubana (archived)
Merseyside Police – Southport trial: Rudakubana pleads guilty to all charges (archived)
