Following reports of the new charges, Jenrick told ITV News he wanted answers on “when the prime minister knew”.
“The state should not be lying to its own citizens,” he said.
Asked if he thought the state had lied, Jenrick said: “We don’t know the reason why this information has been concealed.
“Why has it taken months for the police to set out basic facts about this case that it is reasonable to believe were known within hours or days of this incident occurring?”
In a social media post Badenoch said there were “serious questions to be asked of the police, the [Crown Prosecution Service] and also of Keir Starmer’s response to the whole situation”.
She said: “Parliament is the right place for this to happen.
“While we must abide by the rules of contempt of court and not prejudice this case, it is important that there is appropriate scrutiny.”
The BBC understands senior figures in government first became aware of the possibility of new charges against the suspect in the Southport murders in the past few weeks.
A spokesperson for the prime minister said it was “not correct” to say the government had been involved in withholding facts from the public.
The CPS said it has taken time to bring the charges because this was a “lengthy and complex investigation”.
Ahead of PMQs, House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle warned MPs of the risk of seriously prejudicing criminal proceedings by commenting on the investigation in the Commons.
While members might be frustrated at not being able to comment he said: “More importantly at the heart of this case are three young girls.
“We all went to see justice for them and others affected by this appalling incident.”
Source:
www.bbc.com
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