‘Systemic failures’ over Sarah murder to be investigated
‘INQUIRY IS NEEDED TO ENSURE THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN’
HOME Secretary Priti Patel has announced that the Met Police’s “systemic failures” will be investigated following the murder of Sarah Everard.
The 33-year-old marketing executive was kidnapped, raped and murdered by serving police officer Wayne Couzens, who has been given a whole life order at The Old Bailey.
Speaking at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester on October 5, the home secretary said: “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.”
It comes as Met Police chief Dame Cressida Dick is facing mounting pressure to resign from her post.
However, in a statement on October 4, she said: “I will carry on doing my job.”
She also announced that a separate independent review will look at the Met’s internal culture and professional standards.
Commenting on the announcement of a full inquiry into the Couzens case and wider police culture, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “The horrific murder of Sarah Everard by a serving police officer has shattered public confidence in the police.
“That trust has been further eroded by the news of another officer being charged with rape as well as reports of sexism, misogyny, racism and homophobia amongst some groups of officers.
“Over recent days, I’ve been in detailed discussions with the Home Secretary about how we must urgently do everything necessary to rebuild trust and confidence in the police – in
London and across the country. We agreed that the gravity of the situation required no less than a proper inquiry.
“This inquiry must leave no stone unturned to ensure that the failures that led to a serving police officer killing Sarah Everard can never happen again.
“And while I know the vast majority of officers are decent and dedicated public servants, the inquiry must also address reports of widespread cultural issues.
“All police officers must adhere to the highest possible standards, we must stamp out misogyny, sexism, racism and homophobia, root out those who abuse their trusted position as officers, and ensure that tackling violence against women and girls is treated with the highest priority.
“There is no time to waste. So while this inquiry moves ahead, I’ll continue to hold the Met to account so that we start to see the changes we need right now – both to rebuild trust in the police and to make our country safer for women and girls.”