[Abernathy]

I’m experiencing the same feelings as the awful news comes in from Southport as I did on that awful March 1996 morning, when the equally dreadful news was coming in from Dunblane Primary School : vicarious, tear-sodden grief -waves of it - mingled with anger, despair, and bewilderment : Just what kind of despicable maniac sets out deliberately to murder lots of innocent little kids ?

One thing that does puzzle me slightly is the frequently reported fact that the police “are not treating the attack as terrorist-related”. Objectively, what could be more “terrorist-related” than a murderous attack on a little kids’ dance class ? I can just about imagine how terrified those poor kids must have been when the attack began. To say nothing of the terror inflicted on the local Southport community.

I’m surmising that for something like this to qualify as “terrorist-related”, there needs to be an identified political motivation behind the actions taken. Am I right? The bloke that took a pot shot at Trump was also not, if I recall, being treated as “terrorist-related”, either, though there is surely some suspicion that his attack may have been at least partly politically motivated.

We do not, as yet, understand the motivation that drove the Southport attacker, but I do wonder how and why police are so quick, and so certain, to rule it out. Maybe I’ve misunderstood what the criteria are.

[Andy McDandy]

Evidence of an organisation, creed, statement of intent? Recorded signs of radicalisation? Planning for maximum impact?

[Oboogie]

From what I've seen reported so far there's no reason to suspect terrorism in Southport - or in Butler, Pennsylvania either for that matter.

[Abernathy]

What would you say would be a reason to do so, then ?

[Watchman]

The narrative has long been set by the likes of the Mail and Farage, in that every thing like this has “been done by them forrins” i.e immigrants, who are all terrorists

[Oboogie]

What would you say would be a reason to do so, then ?

Terrorists usually make clear their cause, either via things shouted at the time or, shortly afterwards, their organisation claims responsibility. I'm sure, by now, that the suspect's home has been searched and his online history examined and presumably they've failed to establish a link with any cause.

[kreuzberger]

Meantime, actual terrorists - perpetrators of violent acts with clearly articulated (chanted) political motives - are currently attacking a mosque in Southport.

[Abernathy]

Sadly the case. Even though it has been made clear that the suspect in custody was born in Cardiff and lived in a village not far from Southport.

[Malcolm Armsteen]

Meantime, actual terrorists - perpetrators of violent acts with clearly articulated (chanted) political motives - are currently attacking a mosque in Southport.

Chanting for Yaxley-Lennon.
Fucking scum.

[Oboogie]

Sadly the case. Even though it has been made clear that the suspect in custody was born in Cardiff and lived in a village not far from Southport.

What's more he was born to Rwandan parents which means, as Rwanda is 93% Christian, it's statistically unlikely that he is a Muslim.

[satnav]

Tommy Robinson wants all his supporters to concentrate on Southport rather focus on the fact that the phoney patriot has fled the country to avoid an on-going court case.

[Malcolm Armsteen]

Every cloud...

[Abernathy]

[Oboogie]

I learn from Newsnight that one of Robinson's fanboys has broken a copper's nose. Last week a man broke a copper's nose at Manchester Airport and the far right applauded the copper who subsequently kicked and stomped on the assailant. Try as I might, I can't find anyone demanding that tonight's assailant receives the same treatment.
Two assailants, same offence, different response.
Most peculiar.

[Oboogie]

Every cloud...

Head then nuts, that's comic timing worthy of Oliver Hardy or Buster Keaton.

[Malcolm Armsteen]

All in all it's just another brick in the balls.

[mattomac]

The community is now my concern as I have a brother and his partner who live there.

Sadly I will no longer have to explain where Southport my hometown is, Banks is a bit of the arse end of nowhere, mostly families and others so likely he moved with family unless he works on the farms.

Then he would be working at this time, I am stunned and saddened, my mum always has concerns about me if I mention going into central London, she has probably never given a thought about Daniel in Southport but just goes to show there are sick individuals everywhere.

As for the far right scum, all bussed in more than likely, it’s really not that kind of town in the slightest, the only trouble growing up there was the drunken orange men march. And occasional scouse hen or stag parties at a weekend.

The fact it’s known for Red Rum, Napoleon the 3rd staying there for a bit and supposedly mirroring the main roads of Paris on Lord Street and the odd band.

[Philip Marlow]

All in all it's just another brick in the balls.

The Oscar is in the post.

[AOB]

I love Southport. Many happy memories of childhood days out there, then nights out in the 90s. I still get up there regularly.

It's had its fair share of publicised tragedy in recent times. Mitchell Quy, who appeared on This Morning and on a fly on the wall documentary proclaiming his innocence, killed his wife and left her dismembered body parts hidden in various locations around the town. A few years ago, a female travel agent was killed at work by her girlfriend's ex-boyfriend in the TUI near Southport station. I did wonder if Monday's tragedy was perpetrated by the stalking, jilted boyfriend of someone who ran this dance group, especially as he didn't live very close.

My thoughts are with the bereaved and the children involved. It's beyond comprehension what they are going through and will forever be going through.

[Andy McDandy]

Funniest thing about brick balls man was that the brick came from his own side.