An independent inquiry will go ahead into the “systematic failures” that allowed Wayne Couzens to continue in his role as a police officer, Priti Patel has announced.
The Home Secretary confirmed plans for the inquiry during her speech at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester today, saying the public “have a right to know” why Couzens was not removed from his job following concerns around his behaviour.
Couzens was handed a whole life sentence last week for the kidnap, rape, and murder of Sarah Everard in March 2021.
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Speaking earlier today, Ms Patel announced the inquiry will take place, she said: “All our thoughts remain with Sarah Everard’s family and friends.
“Her murderer, whose name I will not repeat, was a monster. His explicit intention was to instil fear and terror into women and girls.
“Recent tragic events have exposed unimaginable failures in policing. It is abhorrent that a serving police officer was able to abuse his position of power, authority, and trust to commit such a horrific crime.
“The public have a right to know what systematic failures enabled his continued employment as a police officer. We need answers as to why this was allowed to happen.
“I can confirm today that there will be an inquiry to give the independent oversight needed to ensure that something like this can never happen again.”
The announcement comes as the Metropolitan Police faces numerous questions over the conduct of some of its officers, as a number of colleagues of Couzens now face accusations of misconduct.
Calls have been mounting for Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick to resign from her position following Couzens imprisonment.
Earlier this week, PC David Carrick, a serving Metropolitan Police officer, was charged with rape.
Speaking about the officer, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick said: “I am deeply concerned to hear the news today that an officer from the Met’s Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command has been arrested and now charged with this serious offence.
“I fully recognise the public will be very concerned too.
“Criminal proceedings must now take their course so I am unable to comment any further at this stage.”
