‘Chilling’: Stephen Merchant criticises British police over serial killer investigation depicted in Four Lives drama

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Stephen Merchant has criticised the British police for failings in its investigation into serial killer Stephen Port, the real-life murderer Merchant plays in the BBC drama Four Lives. Earlier this month, an inquest into the Metropolitan Police’s investigation into Port’s murders of four men – Anthony Walgate, Gabriel Kovari, Daniel Whitworth and Jack Taylor – concluded that three of them “probably” could have been avoided if the police had not missed opportunities. There is something not working in these structures and it’s worrying that we don’t ask questions over how these things are run.” In response to the inquest earlier this month, the Met’s assistant commissioner Helen Ball said in a statement: “Our thoughts are with everybody who loved these young men. Met Police Assistant Commissioner Helen Ball outside Barking Town Hall “And we’re also deeply sorry that there were failings in the police response to the murders.