No 10 backs call for murderer Wayne Couzens to be stripped of second police pension

Downing Street has backed calls for Sarah Everard’s murderer Wayne Couzens to be stripped of his second police pension.

The former armed officer, who murdered Sarah Everard, 33, in March 2021 while off-duty in south London, already had his pension from the Metropolitan Police taken away in January.

However, it was feared Couzens could still be in line to receive a pension from his seven years at the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC) where he served before the Met.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan wrote to Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps asking for his pension to be taken away as the UK Atomic Energy Authority falls under Mr Shapps’ remit.

Rishi Sunak’s spokesman said on Monday: “We fully support the recommendation of the Civil Nuclear Constabulary that he be stripped of his pension so he doesn’t benefit from his years of serving.

“I think Grant Shapps, who is the relevant minister, is seeking an urgent update from the pensions administrator.”

From 2011 to 2018, Couzens served in the CNC, which is responsible for providing law enforcement and security at nuclear sites and for security when nuclear materials are in transit around the UK.

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It is believed Couzens could be in line for payments of around £7,000 a year from his time there when he comes of retirement age.

After he was convicted of Ms Everard’s kidnap, rape and murder in the summer of 2021, the CNC recommended his pension should be forfeited.

Chief Constable Simon Chesterman said: “The CNC is not the pensions authority or administrator of the pension scheme.

“On Couzens’ conviction, we made a formal recommendation that any pension entitlements arising from his CNC employment should be forfeited and our position remains unchanged.”

Mr Khan said in his letter to Mr Shapps: “I seek your assurance that you will take all possible steps to ensure that Couzens is stripped of his pension.

“This is what the public would rightly expect.”

Mr Shapps said in response: “This horrendous crime shocked the nation and it is right this monster spends the rest of his life in a prison cell.

“I fully support the recommendation of the Civil Nuclear Constabulary that he be stripped of his pension so he does not benefit from his years serving, and I am seeking an urgent update on the matter from the pension administrator.”

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