Sarah Everard’s killer Wayne Couzens was guard at the House of Parliament
How have MPs reacted to the disclosure? ITV News' Chloe Keedy reports
The Commons Speaker is "extremely concerned" that the police officer who kidnapped, raped, and murdered Sarah Everard was deployed to guard MPs at the Houses of Parliament. Following a report from the Times, the Metropolitan Police on Saturday confirmed Wayne Couzens was stationed at Westminster on five occasions last year.
Scotland Yard said in a statement: "Couzens was deployed to armed static protection duties on the Parliamentary Estate on five occasions from February to July 2020."
Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Commons Speaker, said he was "extremely concerned" by the revelation and has demanded an urgent meeting with Met Police chief Cressida Dick.
Couzens was sentenced to life in prison on Thursday for his horrific crimes against Ms Everard.
She had been walking home after visiting a friend in Clapham, south London, on the evening of March 3, 2021, when she was approached by Couzens.
During the sentencing, it emerged Couzens kidnapped the 33-year-old by carrying out a false arrest with his warrant card, before going on to rape and murder her.
Analysis from ITV News reporter Chloe Keedy
The Houses of Parliament are among the most sensitive buildings in the country and MPs I spoke to tonight were shocked to hear Wayne Couzens had access to them.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle said he wants to discuss with Met Police chief Cressida Dick how Couzens could have been deemed suitable for deployment in Westminster, but, of course, the question already being asked more widely is: “How was Wayne Couzens deemed suitable to be a police officer at all?”
The Metropolitan Police is investigating whether Couzens could be responsible for more crimes, after it emerged his vehicles were linked to two earlier indecent exposure allegations.One of the allegations was just 72 hours before he kidnapped Ms Everard.
Following his sentence, the Met said it will no longer deploy plain clothes officers on their own. The force advised concerned individuals to ask where the officer’s colleagues are, where they have come from, why they are there, and exactly why they are stopping or talking to them.
Numerous organisations have hit out at Scotland Yard’s response, saying it is “indefensible” and yet another example of authorities placing the onus on women to change their behaviour to stay safe. In Scotland, officers who are operating on their own will proactively offer to carry out a verification check for anyone they come across who appears to be concerned for their safety.
This will involve the officer’s radio being put on loudspeaker and a member of the control room staff confirming who they are.