Two serving Metropolitan Police officers and one former officer have been charged with sending grossly offensive messages on WhatsApp, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.

Couzens was given a whole life sentence last year for killing Everard during a fake arrest, while a serving member of the Metropolitan Police.

He murdered the 33-year-old after abducting her on 3 March 2021 in south London.

The CPS said it cannot name the trio for "operational reasons". It is normal for people to be named when they are charged - even if they are police officers.

A spokesman was not able to provide more information about the decision - but said it was being kept under review.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) sent prosecutors a file on allegations the three shared racist and misogynistic messages with Couzens between April and August 2019.

Officers now suspended

In a statement, the IOPC said: "Two serving Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officers and one former MPS officer are to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on 16 March charged in connection with an Independent Office for Police Conduct investigation into the sending and sharing of inappropriate messages on WhatsApp.

"They are charged with sending grossly offensive messages on a public communications network contrary to section 127 of the Communications Act 2003."

The IOPC's investigation began following a referral from the Met last April.

Rosemary Ainslie, head of the CPS Special Crime Division, said: "Following a referral of evidence by the Independent Office for Police Conduct, the CPS has authorised charges against two serving Metropolitan Police officers and one former officer."

The two officers who were still serving were placed on restricted duties while the investigation took place.

The Met said in a statement: "We are aware of charges brought against two serving Metropolitan Police officers and one former officer about sending grossly offensive messages on a public communications network.

"They are suspended from duty."