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The inquiry into police failings over the murder of Sarah Everard must “leave no stone unturned”, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has said.

Home Secretary Priti Patel announced on Tuesday that a new two-part inquiry would examine police vetting practices, professional standards and wider issues around workplace conduct following the sentencing of Met officer Wayne Couzens.

Couzens was handed a life sentence for the kidnap, rape and murder of Sarah Everard, carried out while he was a Metropolitan Police officer.

The details surrounding Couzens and his troubling past behaviour have raised serious questions over the Met’s culture and workplace practices.

Sadiq Khan has said these recent events – along with reports of rampant racism, misogyny and homophobia among some officers – have “shattered public confidence in the police”.

Mr Khan has said that he engaged in “detailed discussions” with the Home Secretary during a phone call over the weekend where they agreed that “the gravity of the situation required no less than a public inquiry”.

He said: “This inquiry must leave no stone unturned to ensure that the failures that led to a serving police officer killing Sarah Everard can never happen again.

“And while I know the vast majority of officers are decent and dedicated public servants, the inquiry must also address reports of widespread cultural issues.

“All police officers must adhere to the highest possible standards, we must stamp out misogyny, sexism, racism and homophobia, root out those who abuse their trusted position as officers, and ensure that tackling violence against women and girls is treated with the highest priority.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Police Commissioner Cressida Dick (Photo by Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

“There is no time to waste.

“So while this inquiry moves ahead, I’ll continue to hold the Met to account so that we start to see the changes we need right now – both to rebuild trust in the police and to make our country safer for women and girls.”

But despite widespread calls for Met commissioner Dame Cressida Dick to resign over a string of failings and controversies, the Mayor of London has remained steadfast in supporting her.

Last week, Mr Khan told reporters that Cressida Dick was “the right person to bring about the transformation needed” in the Met.

Dame Cressida, who has led the Met since 2017, last month had her tenure as Met Commissioner extended by a further two years despite several high-profile names calling for her resignation in an open letter.