The UK Attorney General is set to review twisted killer Axel Rudakubana's "unduly lenient" sentence following calls to increase his life term.

for the slaying Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, in a "sadistic" rampage at a-themed dance class last summer. The killer was jailed life with a minimum of 52 years to be served after he pleaded guilty to 16 offences relating to the "pure evil" July 29 incident in the Merseyside town.

But the sentence has been blasted by members of the public, including local MP Patrick Hurley, who slammed the punishment as "unduly lenient", adding it does not "reflect the crimes committed". The calls have now prompted an official response, with the Attorney General's office announcing today that the sentence has now been officially referred to the UK's Law Officers under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

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In a statement posted on the Government's official website, the office, which is helmed by Baron Richard Hermer, confirmed Law Officers have until early February to consider whether the sentence was too lenient. The statement reads: [Axel Rudakubana's] sentence has been referred to the Law Officers under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme. Only one request is needed for a sentence to be considered.

"The Law Officers have 28 days from sentencing to consider the case and decide whether to refer it to the Court of Appeal." The statement added that there is a "high threshold" for a successful referral to the Government's ULS scheme, adding the Southport killer's punishment must be deemed "not just lenient but unduly so".

It continued: "For example if the sentencing judge made a gross error or imposed a sentence outside the range of sentences reasonably available in the circumstances of the offence. If the Law Officers refer the sentence to the Court of Appeal, the Court may decide that the sentence should stay the same, is unreasonably low (called ‘unduly lenient’) and may increase it, or refuse to review the case."

The Southport killings have both prompted immediate pushback on Rudakubana's sentencing and a larger discussion about the UK justice system, with calls for reform growing following the trial this week. Defence secretary John Healey, said the Government needed to "make any changes that are necessary" to ensure victims get the justice and changes they deserve.

It comes as PM Sir said the atrocity in Southport was “one of the most harrowing moments in our country’s history” and “this vile offender will likely never be released.”

The Prime Minister said in a statement after the sentencing of Rudakubana: “The thoughts of the entire nation are with the families and everyone affected by the unimaginable horrors that unfolded in Southport. No words will ever be able to capture the depth of their pain.

“I want to say directly to the survivors, families and community of Southport – you are not alone. We stand with you in your grief. What happened in Southport was an atrocity and as the judge has stated, this vile offender will likely never be released. After one of the most harrowing moments in our country’s history we owe it to these innocent young girls and all those affected to deliver the change that they deserve.”