Government figures knew weeks ago that the Southport attacker could face terrorism charges

In August he was charged with the murders of nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar, six-year-old Bebe King and seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, who were stabbed during a Taylor Swift-inspired dance class in Hart Street, Southport, on July 29.

He is accused of attempting to murder eight other children, dance instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes. He is also accused of possessing a knife.

To charge someone under the Biological Weapons Act, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) must obtain consent from government officials – either Richard Hermer KC, the attorney general, or Sarah Sackman, the solicitor general.

It is understood that law enforcement officials were consulted over the past few weeks and gave their consent within a few days. It is not known whether other government ministers have been informed of the allegations.

Downing Street insisted that the timing of the latest charging notice was solely a CPS decision.