Government Pledges Action to Stop Wayne Couzens Receiving Police Pension
The Government has declared it is "absolutely determined" to prevent convicted murderer Wayne Couzens from receiving a pension from the special police force where he previously served. This commitment comes as efforts to forfeit the pension continue more than four years after his conviction for the horrific crimes against Sarah Everard.
Complex Legal Battle Over Pension Entitlements
Wayne Couzens, a former armed Metropolitan Police officer, was sentenced to a whole-life order in September 2021 for the abduction, rape, and murder of 33-year-old marketing executive Sarah Everard in March 2021. Couzens had used his police-issue handcuffs and warrant card to stage a fake arrest during the attack, shocking the nation and raising serious questions about police conduct.
While prisoners are automatically barred from claiming the state pension, there is no automatic prohibition on receiving other pension entitlements. Couzens had served with the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC) for approximately seven years before joining the Metropolitan Police in 2018, making him eligible for pension benefits from his time with the specialized force.
Legislative Measures Being Considered
It is understood that a complex legal process to forfeit the CNC pension is currently ongoing. Ministers have indicated they are prepared to introduce new legislation if necessary to ensure Couzens does not receive any pension payments from his time with the nuclear constabulary.
Sky News reported that in 2023, London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan successfully applied to the then-home secretary to have any pension payments Couzens could have earned during his Metropolitan Police service revoked. However, the CNC presents a different challenge as it falls under the jurisdiction of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) rather than the Home Office.
Departmental Response and Previous Actions
A DESNZ spokeswoman stated: "We are absolutely determined that Wayne Couzens does not receive a Civil Nuclear Constabulary pension, and are actively working on it." The CNC itself cannot directly forfeit pensions but has previously recommended to the UK Atomic Energy Authority, its pension authority, that any entitlements arising from Couzens' service should be forfeited.
Data obtained through a freedom of information request revealed that there had been no pension forfeitures from the CNC between 2020 and September 2025, highlighting the unusual nature of this case. The Home Office has been contacted for additional comment regarding the broader implications of this pension battle.
The Government's determination to block Couzens' pension payments reflects ongoing public outrage over his crimes and a commitment to ensuring justice extends beyond the courtroom to all aspects of his entitlements and privileges.
