Charges could be brought against three police officers for sending 'inappropriate messages' during the investigation into the murder of Sarah Everard.

The 33-year-old was abducted from the streets of London by at-the-time serving Met officer Wayne Couzens in March last year, after which she was driven to Kent and raped and killed.

Married father-of-two Couzens, from Deal, has since been given a whole life sentence for the horrific crime.

An investigation was also launched by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) into misconduct by officers surrounding social media messages related to the murder case.

It has now been revealed that the police watchdog has asked the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to consider potential charges.

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

"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 Metropolitan Police was approached for a comment but referred us to the IOPC.

Former trained firearms officer Couzens kidnapped marketing executive Ms Everard, on the night of March 3 last year in Clapham, south London and took her to Dover.

He had made a bogus arrest, claiming he was taking her in for breaching Covid rules during a period of full national lockdown.

He changed from a hire car to his own vehicle in Dover and drove her to a rural area near the town where he raped and strangled her.

Police arrested Couzens at his home in Freemen’s Way, Deal, on March 9.

Ms Everard’s burnt remains were found in woodland near Great Chart, Ashford, on March 10.

Couzens, 49, admitted to her kidnap, rape and murder and was given a whole life sentence in September.

During his career, he had worked at the Metropolitan Police, Civil Nuclear Constabulary, and Kent Police.

A government inquiry is now looking into whether any “red flags were missed” earlier in his career.

He also previously worked at a family owned garage in Dover.

He is being held at HMP Frankland, County Durham, alongside other killers including Levi Bellfield and Ian Huntley.

Met Police chief Cressida Dick resigned from her position last night after facing criticism over her handling of a string of scandals.

These include Sarah's case, as well as the actions of officers who took photos of murdered sisters Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman.

Earlier this week it was revealed that Couzens has come down with Covid and is isolating in his prison cell.