An inspiring legacy

IT’S been 25 years since a black teenager with dreams of becoming an architect was stabbed to death at a South-East London bus stop simply because of the colour of his skin. His parents – thirsting for justice – were initially met with a wall of police indifference and a society that simply shrugged its shoulders.

How far Britain has come since that dreadful day. We have seen a transformation in the way the criminal justice system treats racially motivated crime, a recognition of how badly the black community was being failed by the police, and fundamental reform at Scotland Yard.

And finally, in 2012, two of Stephen’s killers were brought to justice.

The Mail is proud of having been able to help Neville and Doreen (now Baroness) Lawrence on their inspiring journey. It was testament to how far they’ve travelled that Prince Harry attended a memorial service for their son yesterday, and the Prime Minister announced the creation of an annual Stephen Lawrence day.

This was a hideous crime and a grievous loss. But out of evil has come a huge amount of good. THERE’S nothing quite like the arrival of a royal baby for lifting the nation’s spirits. So warmest congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and grateful thanks to the new prince – not least for providing a welcome distraction from Brexit bickering... and the perils of an increasingly dangerous world.