BBC News skips Southport three-minute silence on murder victims' anniversary

BBC News viewers hoping to pay their respects to the Southport murder victims on Tuesday afternoon were left having to look elsewhere after the channel decided against taking part in a three-minute silence to mark the anniversary of the horrific murders.

Tuesday marks one year since schoolgirls Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Alice da Silva tragically lost their lives at the hands of Axel Rudakubana while they were taking part in a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.

In order to pay tribute one year after the heartbreaking and horrific loss, Southport residents flocked to the town centre to take part in a three-minute silence as thousands lined the streets to pay their respects. Footage from the three-minute silence was broadcast on several outlets, including GB News, but BBC News decided to broadcast its latest instalment of Verified Live.

Fronted by Matthew Amroliwala, the BBC News presenter was tasked with reading aloud the contents of the programme rather than participating in the silence. \"Live from London, this is BBC News,\" Amroliwala said as the clock struck 3pm.

\"That is what it looks like on the ground, we'll bring you the latest on the numbers now at risk, the aid that's getting in and the amount that's required. \"On today's programme, we'll speak live to the Norwegian Refugee Council. I'll also talk to the former Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, and we'll get the latest from Downing Street, where there's been an emergency cabinet meeting going on, talking about Gaza.\"

Amroliwala turned his attention elsewhere soon after. \"One other main headline. The Lionesses celebrate their Euros triumph with an open-top bus parade through central London,\" he said. With the clock now at 3:01pm, there was still no mention of Southport, with Amroliwala continuing with the show.