Metropolitan Police Officer Dismissed for Unauthorized Access to Sarah Everard Murder Files
A serving Metropolitan Police officer, PC Myles McHugh, has been dismissed following a misconduct tribunal for inappropriately accessing confidential files related to Sarah Everard’s murder. The incident occurred between March 5 and 15, 2021, shortly after the 33-year-old marketing executive was kidnapped and killed by Wayne Couzens, a serving Met Police officer.
The tribunal found that PC McHugh committed gross misconduct by repeatedly accessing the police system to search for detailed information about Everard, including her medical history, employment, character, and lifestyle. Another officer, former Det Con Hannah Rebbeck, was also found to have committed gross misconduct by repeatedly searching for information out of “morbid curiosity.” Rebbeck, who has since left the force, would have been dismissed had she still been serving.
Sgt Mark Harper received a final written warning for his involvement. Other officers, including Det Con Tyrone Ward, Inspector Akinwale Ajose-Adeogun, and Det Sgt Robert Butters, were found to have had legitimate reasons for accessing the information and were not in breach of professional standards. One additional serving officer is still awaiting a separate gross misconduct hearing.
The misconduct hearing was the result of an extensive audit that initially identified 104 officers and police staff who potentially accessed files without proper cause. Met Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy explained that most of those investigated accessed the files out of curiosity. The majority received less severe disciplinary actions, including written warnings and “reflective practice” training sessions.
Cundy acknowledged the sensitivity of the case, stating, “We have apologised to [Everard’s] family and friends for the added distress this case has caused.” He emphasized that none of the officers was directly involved in the criminal investigation, and no evidence suggested that any inappropriately shared the information.
The Met Police leadership acknowledged that while “honest mistakes can be made,” actions that demonstrate deliberate evasiveness or attempt to avoid accountability are incompatible with the force’s values. The force has committed to addressing these breaches of professional conduct.
This incident follows the highly publicized murder of Sarah Everard by Wayne Couzens, which sparked widespread discussions about police conduct and women’s safety. The unauthorized access to Everard’s files represents an additional layer of distress for her family and raises serious questions about privacy and professional ethics within the Metropolitan Police.
The case highlights the importance of strict adherence to professional standards and the need for robust internal accountability mechanisms within law enforcement agencies.
