Sarah Everard Killer Part Of 'Misogynistic, Racist And Homophobic' Police WhatsApp Group

Wayne Couzens was allegedly part of WhatsApp group involving police officers which shared ‘misogynistic, racist and homophobic messages’.

Reports first published by The Guardian and clarified by the Independent Office for Police Conduct found five officers from three forces and one former officer were thought to have sent discriminatory messages in the group from between March to October 2019. 

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The officers are currently being investigated for ‘gross misconduct’ for allegedly sending messages of a discriminatory and/or inappropriate nature, and for allegedly failing to challenge the messages sent by the others.

When contacted by Tyla, a spokesperson from the Metropolitan Police said they could not formally comment on a case while the officers were under investigation.

The messages were uncovered during the police investigation into Sarah Everard’s murder.

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Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens received the rare whole-life tariff for the kidnap, rape and murder of Sarah Everard. He is the first police officer to have received this sentence.

In his two-day sentencing hearing, Lord Justice Fulford said: “Couzens went hunting a lone female to kidnap and rape having planned in unspeakably grim detail.”

The defendant’s preparations included taking some of his police kit with him and lying to his family about working on the night of the murder, the Old Bailey heard.

Met Police commissioner Cressida Dick is now facing calls to resign following a string of failures by the police to prevent Couzens from offending.

Speaking following the sentencing, Dame Cressida said: "I am absolutely horrified that this man used his position of trust to deceive and coerce Sarah and I know you all are too... what he did was unthinkable and appalling."

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She continued: "He has very considerably added to the sense of insecurity that many have in our cities, perhaps particularly women. I am absolutely sickened... this man has brought shame on the Met. We have been rocked.

"I recognise that a precious bond of trust has been damaged. I will do everything in my power to ensure we learn any lessons. There are no words that can fully express the fury and overwhelming sadness that we all feel about what happened to Sarah. I am so sorry."

Topics: News, Sarah Everard

Kimberley Bond

Kim is a journalist at Tyla, and has previously worked at the Evening Standard, Radio Times as well as several national newspapers. A showbiz obsessive and a television fanatic, Kim is particularly interested in celebrity gossip, A-list events and the latest releases on either the big or small screen. Contact her at [email protected]

@0xKimberley