An inquiry investigating how Wayne Couzens was able to abduct, rape and murder Sarah Everard will look at whether any “red flags were missed” earlier in his career.

Home Secretary Priti Patel has published the terms of reference for the first phase of the Angiolini Inquiry, named after Dame Elish Angiolini QC who is leading it.

It will consider the “systemic failures” that allowed Ms Everard’s killer to be employed as a policeman.

The first part of the inquiry will start soon and is due to conclude this year, the Home Office says.

It will seek to establish:

A timeline of Couzens’ career and “relevant incidents” including “prior allegations of criminal behaviour and/or misconduct”.

The circumstances and decision making surrounding his vetting and re-vetting, including whether “any potential risks and/or red flags were missed” as well as any matters arising from his transfer between forces.

His overall conduct, performance, training and any abuse of his police powers.

The extent to which any issues about his behaviour, particularly in relation to women, were “known and raised by colleagues” including professional standards departments and senior leaders.

The inquiry will analyse documents from the Metropolitan Police, Civil Nuclear Constabulary, and Kent Police.

Couzens was an armed Met PC when he kidnapped and killed Ms Everard and had previously worked for the other two forces, the latter as a Special Constable.

The new investigation will also consider interviews, witness statements and findings from Independent Office for Police Conduct investigations.

"We owe an explanation to Sarah’s family and loved ones..."

The findings from the first part of the inquiry will inform the second – which will look at “broader issues” arising for policing and the protection of women.

Ms Patel said: “We owe an explanation to Sarah’s family and loved ones and we need to do all in our power to prevent something like this from ever happening again.

“The terms of reference agreed today for the Angiolini Inquiry are vital and will produce learning and recommendations for policing and others."

Although a non-statutory inquiry has been established, this can be converted to a statutory inquiry, where witnesses can be compelled to give evidence, if required.

Couzens kidnapped Ms Everard, 33, on the night of March 3 last year in Clapham, south London and took her all the way 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 North Military Road, Dover, and drove her to a rural area near the town where he raped and strangled her.

After her disappearance members of the Metropolitan Police poured into Dover district to search for clues, focusing in Dover town on North Military Road and nearby Centre Road where Couzens once worked in a garage.

Police arrested Couzens at his home in Freemen's Way, Deal, on March 9, and searched it and later parts of Sandwich.

The remains of Ms Everard, a marketing executive, were found in woodland near Great Chart, Ashford, on March 10.

Couzens, a married father-of two now aged 49, admitted to her kidnap, rape and murder in court hearings in the summer.

He was given a whole life sentence at the Old Bailey on September 30.

Ms Patel had first announced the independent inquiry on October 5.

She then said: "The public have a right to know what failures enabled his continued employment as a police officer."

It was then confirmed that the second part of the inquiry would look at any specific problems raised by the first part of the inquiry.

This could include wider issues across policing such as vetting practices, professional standards and discipline, and workplace behaviour.

The appointment of Dame Elish Angiolini a former lord advocate of Scotland, for both parts of the inquiry was announced on November 22.

She described the publication of the terms of reference for the new inquiry as a significant step forward towards "ensuring Sarah’s family and the wider public get a full understanding and explanation of the causes of, and factors contributing to, this tragic and harrowing murder."