PM vows to ‘stop at nothing to get more rapists behind bars’ after Sarah Everard murder
Boris Johnson has said the government will “stop at nothing to make sure that we get more rapists behind bars” in the wake of the murder of Sarah Everard.
The prime minister said he wanted to have “more successful prosecutions for rape and for sexual violence”, adding: “Because that, I think, is going wrong.”
Ms Everard was kidnapped, raped and murdered by Wayne Couzens, who was a serving police officer when he carried out the killing of the 33-year-old marketing executive in March.
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‘Every police officer should be re-vetted’
Couzens, who strangled Ms Everard with his police belt after kidnapping her under the guise of an arrest, was handed a whole life order at the Old Bailey earlier this week.
Questions have been raised about police vetting procedures after it was revealed that Couzens was linked to a flashing incident in 2015, and two more incidents days before he killed Ms Everard.
In addition, the police watchdog is investigating five officers over claims they traded misogynistic, racist, and homophobic material with Couzens over WhatsApp months before he killed Ms Everard, according to a report in The Times.
Speaking to Sky News, a former senior Metropolitan Police chief superintendent said every police officer in the UK should be re-vetted.
In an interview with the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show on the first day of the Conservative Party conference in Manchester, Mr Johnson dismissed calls for an immediate independent public inquiry.
He said investigations by the Metropolitan Police and the Independent Office for Police Conduct should be allowed to run their course.
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IDS calls for Met commissioner to resign
The PM added: “We do need to look systemically at not just the Wayne Couzens case but the whole handling of rape, domestic violence, sexual violence and female complaints about harassment all together.”
He also backed advice from the Met Police for women to flag down a passing bus if they are stopped by an officer they do not trust.
The advice, which has drawn heavy criticism, also included suggestions to shout, knock on doors or call 999.
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‘This is an issue that starts with men’
“If you are suspicious about the way in which you are being treated by a police officer and you are worried for some reason, then clearly you should seek help in the way you have described,” Mr Johnson told the BBC when asked about that advice.
“My view is that the police do – overwhelmingly – a wonderful job and what I want is the public, and women in particular, girls and young women, women of all ages, to trust the police.
“They are overwhelmingly trustworthy.”
Are women safe on our streets?
The murder of Sarah Everard by a serving Metropolitan Police officer has resulted in an outpouring of concern over women’s safety in the UK.
We would like you to share your experiences, and your questions for our panel of experts. We’d also love to hear your solutions.
Email thegreatdebate@sky.uk to get involved.
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Politics
No job for Tom Tugendhat in Kemi Badenoch’s shadow cabinet as Chris Philp appointed shadow home secretary
Tom Tugendhat is not serving in Kemi Badenoch’s shadow cabinet, it has been revealed – as the new Tory leader continued her appointments today.
Former Home Office minister Chris Philp has been awarded the job of shadow home secretary, the last of the key posts to be announced.
A Conservative source told Sky News Mr Tugendhat was offered a job and turned it down.
Unveiling a host of appointments today, Ms Badenoch, who was elected leader of the Conservative Party last weekend, confirmed that Ed Argar would be the shadow health secretary, while James Cartlidge will take on the role of shadow defence secretary.
Politics latest: Government drops plans to ban smoking in pub gardens
Former business minister Kevin Hollinrake will shadow Angela Rayner on the housing brief, while Victoria Atkins will take on the role of shadow environment secretary.
Claire Coutinho, who was the energy secretary under Rishi Sunak, will continue in the opposition version of the role.
Helen Whately has been appointed shadow work and pensions secretary and Andrew Griffith, the former economic secretary to the Treasury, is the new shadow business and trade secretary.
Ms Badenoch, who became Conservative leader on Saturday, started officially appointing her shadow cabinet on Sunday evening.
Yesterday Dame Priti Patel made a comeback to frontline politics after the new Conservative leader appointed her as shadow foreign secretary.
Former shadow work and pensions secretary Mel Stride, who ran in the Tory leadership race and is considered more of a moderate than Ms Badenoch, was also made shadow chancellor.
The move has been interpreted as Ms Badenoch making an effort to unite the party following its bruising election defeat, which saw it reduced to just 121 seats.
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Badenoch: ‘It is time to renew’
Robert Jenrick, who lost out to Ms Badenoch in the Tory leadership race, is the new shadow justice secretary, while Laura Trott, who previously served as chief secretary to the Treasury, was appointed shadow education secretary.
Now the Conservatives are in opposition, the shadow cabinet’s role is to scrutinise the policies and actions of the government and offer alternative policies.
Other roles that have been confirmed today include Stuart Andrew as shadow culture secretary, Gareth Bacon as shadow transport secretary, Andrew Bowie as shadow Scotland secretary, Alex Burghart as shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and Mims Davies as shadow Wales secretary and shadow minister for women.
Former transport minister Jesse Norman has been appointed as shadow leader of the Commons while Richard Fuller is the new shadow chief secretary to the Treasury and Alan Mak is the new shadow science secretary.
Read more:
Who’s who in Kemi Badenoch’s new shadow cabinet?
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During the Conservative Party leadership race, Ms Badenoch suggested that all six MPs who ran against her for the top job – Mr Jenrick, Mr Tugendhat, Mr Stride, Ms Patel and James Cleverly – would be offered a job in her shadow cabinet.
Mr Cleverly, who came third in the leadership race, said on Friday he would not be joining Ms Badenoch’s top team.
It is understood Ms Badenoch will appoint the remainder of the team later in the week and on a rolling basis.
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