Overview

The abduction, rape and murder of Sarah Everard was a horrendous crime and has had a devastating impact on her family and loved ones. That it was committed by an off-duty Metropolitan Police officer, Wayne Couzens, abusing his position to do so, is abhorrent and risks undermining the public’s confidence in policing.

Part 1 of the inquiry will establish:

• an overall timeline of Couzens’ career and relevant incidents, including allegations of criminal behaviour and/or misconduct
• the circumstances and decision-making relating to his vetting and re-vetting, including whether any potential risks and/or red flags were missed
• any other relevant matters arising from his transfers between forces
• his overall conduct – including non-disciplinary matters, his performance and training
• the extent to which any issues relating to his behaviour, particularly in relation to women, were known and raised by colleagues, (including professional standards and senior leaders)
• any abuse of his police powers

The inquiry will seek to establish these through methods including, but not limited to:

• analysis of documentation from relevant forces, including the Metropolitan Police Service, Civil Nuclear Constabulary and Kent Police
• interviews and witness statements
• findings from the relevant Independent Office for Police Conduct investigations

This inquiry has been established as a non-statutory inquiry but if necessary, the Home Secretary may agree to convert into a statutory inquiry, following advice from the Chair.

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Scope

This is an independent non-statutory inquiry. Part 1 is focussed on examining Wayne Couzens’ career and previous behaviour. It will establish a definitive account of his conduct, behaviour and performance leading up to his conviction, as well as any opportunities missed such as decision making relating to vetting. Following the sentencing of former police officer David Carrick in February 2023, the Inquiry is also examining the Carrick case to establish an understanding of Carrick’s career and previous conduct. Part 2 of the Inquiry addresses broader issues raised by both cases in respect of policing and the protection of women.

For further information about the progress of the Inquiry, please see our updates page.

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Inquiry team

Inquiry Chair

Lady Elish Angiolini LT DBE PC KC

Lady Elish will lead a two-part inquiry to address the issues raised by the abduction, rape and murder of Sarah Everard by an off-duty Metropolitan police officer.

Lady Elish has been appointed following consultation with the family of Sarah Everard, who will also be kept updated throughout the work of the inquiry.

Lady Elish is a Scottish lawyer, she was the Lord Advocate of Scotland from 2006 until 2011, having previously been Solicitor General since 2001. She was the first woman, the first Procurator Fiscal, and the first solicitor to hold either post. Since September 2012, Lady Elish is the Principal of St Hugh’s College, Oxford. She is a Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford. Since leaving office she has led several investigations and inquiries, including a review of deaths in police custody commissioned by the then-Home Secretary Rt. Hon Theresa May MP. In June 2022, Lady Elish was appointed to The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle by Her Late Majesty the Queen.

Lady Elish’s appointment and the high-level terms of reference for the Inquiry were announced by the Home Secretary in Parliament on Monday 22 November 2021. The terms of reference for the Inquiry were published on Monday 10 January 2022.

The Inquiry terms of reference can be found here: Angiolini Inquiry part 1: terms of reference – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Last updated on 15/03/2023