Sadiq Khan launches vital probe into ‘homophobia, misogyny and racism’ in Met Police

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has launched a probe into the Metropolitan Police after an inquest into the victims of Grindr serial killer Stephen Port, saying that the “young men and their families deserved so much better”.

The investigation comes after the families of the four young, gay men killed by Port in Barking, London, between June 2014 and September 2015 claimed that police prejudice made officers “unwilling to engage” with their concerns.

The inquest on Friday (10 December) heard that John Pape, a friend of Port’s second victim Gabriel Kovari, 22, provided detectives with information that he thought may link his death with Port’s first victim, Anthony Walgate, 23. His concerns were dismissed.

Stephen Port went on to kill at least two more men, Daniel Whitworth, 21, and Jack Taylor, 25, before police finally connected the deaths.

In the wake of the damning inquest into Stephen Port’s victims, Sadiq Khan said he has asked Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Services to conduct an independent review into the Metropolitan Police.

Sadiq Khan said: "My thoughts today are with the families and friends of Anthony Walgate, Gabriel Kovari, Daniel Whitworth and Jack Taylor."