Three Metropolitan Police officers who worked with killer Wayne Couzens could face charges amid allegations they shared racist and misogynistic messages with him.

Prosecutors are currently considering a file of evidence referred by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which included “grossly offensive material” under the Communications Act.

Couzens is currently serving a whole-life order for the kidnap, rape, and murder of 33-year-old Sarah Everard last year.

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The messages were found after the IOPC launched a probe into claims they and other officers sent “discriminatory” material – reportedly racist and misogynistic – over WhatsApp between March and October 2019.

The information was recovered from an old mobile phone found during the police probe into Ms Everard’s murder and involves two serving officers and a former officer at the force.

The two serving officers have been placed on restricted duties.

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A Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) spokesman said: “We are considering a file of evidence referred to us by the IOPC in relation to the alleged sending and sharing of inappropriate messages by police officers.”

The IOPC said: “Our investigation into the sending and sharing of inappropriate messages by officers on WhatsApp has been completed.

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“We provided a file of evidence to the CPS in December to consider potential offences against three individuals under the Communications Act 2003. We await its decision.”

The IOPC has concluded the investigation into another Met officer, one from Norfolk, and one from the Civil Nuclear Constabulary – where Couzens previously worked – but said it is currently unable to comment further on whether it has recommended disciplinary proceedings.

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A force spokesman said: “We are keenly aware that the events following Sarah Everard’s death have rocked the public’s faith in us, and we know that we have to work hard and make real changes in order to earn back that trust.

“Every Met employee has been personally emailed by the commissioner about adhering to professional boundaries, their use of social media, and their duty to call out inappropriate behaviour and report prejudice.”

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