Will bungling Metropolitan Police reopen probe into murder of Stephen Lawerence? Force admits 'serious mistakes' are still being made in case
Scotland Yard's decision to close the investigation into Stephen Lawrence's murder will be reviewed, with police admitting 'serious mistakes' are still being made in the case.
At least three of the men who chased and fatally stabbed 18-year-old Stephen near a bus stop in Eltham, south-east London, in April 1993 remain free.
Two men were convicted of Stephen's murder in 2012, but the Metropolitan Police closed the probe in 2020 – a move opposed by Stephen's parents at the time.
Now the Met has agreed to review the case closure, according to The Guardian. Discussions regarding the scope of the review are ongoing, with the Lawrence family hopeful the remaining suspects can be brought to justice.
Undated family handout file photo of Stephen Lawrence who was murdered in a racially motivated attack by a group of white men
The Met has agreed to review the case closure, according to The Guardian. (General view of New Scotland Yard)
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A new police force will be called in to review the Met Police's handing of any new evidence in the Stephen Lawrence case
Assistant Met Commissioner Louisa Rolfe outlined the draft terms of reference for the review. The document acknowledges ongoing errors, adding: 'Despite 31 years of apologies, learning, and progress, serious mistakes related to Stephen Lawrence's death are still being made.
'Not only has [Doreen] Lawrence been let down, once again, but for her and the wider community there remains the legitimate concern that, if, after all these years and all this attention, the Metropolitan Police service still cannot be trusted when it comes to [her son] Stephen Lawrence, what trust can they have in any of the previous investigations and reviews?'
Former Met detective chief inspector Clive Driscoll, who led the investigation that resulted in the convictions of Gary Dobson and David Norris in 2012, is expected to be part of the review. Mr Driscoll, whom Baroness Lawrence said was the only police officer she trusted, left the Met in 2014, despite wanting to pursue promising leads.
Suspects Luke Knight and brothers Neil and Jamie Acourt have always denied involvement in Stephen's murder.
Mr Driscoll said: 'In 2014, I felt there were opportunities to catch more of the killers. It may be that there are still opportunities. There may have been several things that were missed or not pursued.'
The review, which will be overseen by the College of Policing, will include independent members to assess whether the Met's decisions were 'reasonable and proportionate' according to 'national guidance and best practice applicable at the time'.
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Former Met detective chief inspector Clive Driscoll (pictured), who led the investigation that resulted in the convictions of Gary Dobson and David Norris in 2012, is expected to be part of the review.
Baroness Lawrence (pictured) requested details from the Met about their handling of this aspect of the case
However, the college cannot investigate criminal allegations, so any viable lines of inquiry identified will need to be handled by another police force or law enforcement agency.
Stephen's father, Neville, said: 'I would want a completely new police force to deal with the case, not the Met as I don't trust them any more. It should be a complete reinvestigation. Clive's investigation showed it was possible to get justice, when the Met said it was not possible.'
The Met opposes a complete reinvestigation, claiming it would 'draw limited resources away from current and historic murder investigations'. The review follows a BBC News story naming a sixth suspect, Matthew White, who died in 2021 aged 50.
Baroness Lawrence requested details from the Met about their handling of this aspect of the case, a request the force initially failed to fulfil, prompting an apology from Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley.
Stephen's friend, Duwayne Brooks, who was also attacked, said: 'I want them to look at why the same suspects for the murder were not charged in relation to the assault on me.'
The Mail has contacted the Met for comment.