Rudakubana, from Lancashire, was jailed for life in January 2025 and ordered to serve a minimum of 52 years after admitting the murders of Elsie Dot Elsie, seven, Bebe King, six, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine.

The 19-year-old was moved to the secure psychiatric hospital from Belmarsh prison earlier this week after it was decided that he could not be managed safely in a prison environment.

Lawyer Chris Walker, of Bond Turner, who is representing the Southport families, said: 'The three families we represent have been made aware of this development in the last 48 hours and it is safe to say that whilst this news would devastate them at any time, the fact that this has occurred as we approach the second anniversary in our view is another move by AR who would appear to be attempting, once again, to manipulate the system.

Despite the transfer, the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) insisted the 19-year-old will remain behind locked doors for the rest of his custodial sentence and is 'unlikely to ever be released'.

In addition to the murders and attempted murders, he was convicted of producing the biological toxin ricin and possessing an al-Qaida training manual, an offence under the Terrorism Act.