Rhiannon Whyte's mother says police 'toned down' statement after asylum seeker murdered hotel worker daughter

The mother of Rhiannon Whyte, a hotel worker killed by an asylum seeker, has alleged that police encouraged her family to soften their public statements in the wake of the tragedy to avoid sparking anti-immigration unrest.

Siobhan Whyte claims officers expressed concerns about preventing "another Southport" when informed that her 27-year-old daughter Rhiannon's life support would be switched off.

Ms Whyte said: "Did they tell us what to say? No. Did they guide us so it didn't look so aggressive? Maybe. I was aggressive, they toned it down."

Sudanese national Deng Majek, 28, attacked Rhiannon with a screwdriver at a train station in October 2024, stabbing her 23 times.

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Majek received a 29-year prison sentence in January for the brutal attack on the young woman.

Following the stabbing, the killer was seen dancing and consuming alcohol in the hours after carrying out the fatal assault.

Ms Whyte has expressed gratitude for the support she received from police following her daughter's death.

She said: "I think they didn't want violence... they didn't want a riot."

The murder occurred just three months after the Southport tragedy, in which 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana fatally stabbed three young girls.

Widespread disorder followed that attack.

Within approximately two hours of learning that Rhiannon's life support was being withdrawn, police evacuated migrants from the Park Inn Hotel where Majek had been accommodated.

Ms Whyte said: "Those migrants were out within two hours I think that's because [the police] feared violence."

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Ms Whyte only publicly addressed the circumstances of Majek's arrival in Britain after his sentencing.

She revealed that he had reached the UK via small boat just three months prior to killing her daughter.

The mother directed sharp criticism at the Prime Minister following the court case.

She said: "The Prime Minister's got blood on his hands."

Speaking after the murder of Henry Nowak in Southampton, Ms Whyte told GB News: "I feel like I'm not being listened to.

"It feels like Rhiannon is just brushed under the carpet. This case with Henry Nowak is absolutely heartbreaking. I'm glad his family have met Starmer because that child deserved that, and his family deserved that.

"But because there was an illegal migrant involved in Rhiannon's case - and many more cases - they're not willing to reach out and listen and give me answers.

"I'm reaching out to Starmer and he's gallivanting off to America. But what about the people of this country? What about me? I'm just asking for answers for my daughter."

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