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Met 'reviewing' fresh information into racist murder of Stephen Lawrence as new suspect is named
26 June 2023, 09:45 | Updated: 26 June 2023, 10:30
Scotland Yard is "reviewing" fresh information into the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence after a new suspect was named.
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Mr Lawrence was stabbed to death in Eltham, south-east London, on April 22, 1993. A sixth suspect has now been named as Matthew White, who died in August 2021.
White first came to police attention as a witness in the same year - he told officers he had visited the home address of two other suspects on the night of Stephen's murder.
He was again seen by police when he refused to attend the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry, police said. During the post-Inquiry investigation in November 1999, White was re-interviewed.
He was arrested and interviewed in March 2000 and in December 2013 and a file was submitted to prosecutors in May 2005 and October 2014.
On both occasions the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) advised there was no realistic prospect of conviction of White for any offence.
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Speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari, Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said the force would "review" the information that has surfaced.
"At the moment, the case is inactive but forensic science develops all the time so we will continually go back and review exhibits as science develops to see if there's anything that could put it back in the active phase.
"There's very experienced people in the Met that will work through this."
He added: "Any fresh information will be reviewed" but he refused to speculate as to whether the case would be re-opened.
PSNI Detective Chief Inspector Andy George, who is Head of the National Black Police Association, told LBC: "I think there's certainly a case to reopen it, I don't think it should ever have been closed, and I think it's a stain on the Metropolitan Police that it was... I don't think any review by the Met will reveal anything that the community in London will believe or have faith in the investigation.
"I think it needs to be taken on by an external force, and looked at by them."
He went on to say: "The lack of follow up, the fact there were so many opportunities missed. This could not have been a coincidence.
"It calls into question everything people have been saying about the murder of Stephen Lawrence for a long time."
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Reacting to the latest development, Baroness Doreen Lawrence, Stephen’s mother, said there should be “serious sanctions” against the officers who failed to investigate White.
"Only when police officers lose their jobs can the public have confidence that failure and incompetence will not be tolerated and that change will happen," she said.
Following the initial announcement, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Ward said: “The impact of the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence and subsequent inquiries continues to be felt throughout policing.
“Unfortunately, too many mistakes were made in the initial investigation and the impact of them continues to be seen.
“On the 30th anniversary of Stephen’s murder, Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley apologised for our failings and I repeat that apology today.”
Following the 2012 convictions, trial judge Mr Justice Treacy said: "On the evidence before the court, there are still three or four other killers of Stephen Lawrence at large."
Five men were arrested over the racist murder of 18-year-old Stephen.
Two of the gang that attacked Stephen, Gary Dobson, 47, and David Norris, 46, were brought to justice. Both were given life sentences in 2012 after being found guilty of murder.
Following their convictions, a seven-year investigation was undertaken in which it was discovered that a Met officer sent a message regarding a relative of White who may hold information.
The relative was not named and was subsequently misidentified. The correct relative was not identified until 2013.
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In December 2013, White was arrested for the second time, based on the new information, the Met Police said.
Almost a year later a CPS advice file concluded that no further action should be taken.
In February 2020, Matthew White was seen and spoken to again by the investigation team. There was insufficient witness or forensic evidence to progress further, police said.
He died a year later and the investigation was placed into and remains in an inactive phase.
