The role of Staffordshire Police in the management of London Bridge attacker Usman Khan following his release from prison is being investigated.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is already investigating the fatal shooting of Khan by Metropolitan and City of London Police officers, as is standard practice after such incidents.

But a separate investigation has been set up after the watchdog received a referral from Staffordshire Police relating to its contact with the convicted terrorist, who was living in Stafford, prior to the attack.

The public body said it had concluded that a separate independent investigation should be conducted after receiving further information from the force.

A statement released by the IOPC on Thursday said the investigation was “still in its very early stages”.

Sal Naseem, IOPC director of London, said: “Our separate investigation into the decisions and actions of Staffordshire Police has just begun and will be conducted alongside the investigation into the shooting.”

Cambridge University graduates Jack Merritt, 25, and Saskia Jones, 23, were killed by Khan during a prisoner rehabilitation event at London Bridge’s Fishmongers’ Hall.

Khan was armed with two knives and wearing a fake suicide vest.

He was tackled by members of the public, including ex-offenders, from the conference before he was shot dead by police.

It then emerged that Khan was released from prison on licence in December 2018, having served half of a 16-year prison sentence handed to to him for terror offences in February 2012.

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