Parents’ dismay as Lawrence case is closed
Parents dismayed by decision and vow never to give up fight to see killers brought to justice
Stephen Lawrence’s parents have condemned Scotland Yard’s decision to close its investigation into the racist killing of their son 27 years ago. Neville Lawrence, Stephen’s father signalled he would attempt to overturn the Met’s downgrading of the murder investigation to “inactive”.
STEPHEN LAWRENCE’S parents have condemned Scotland Yard’s decision to close its investigation into the racist killing of their son 27 years ago.
Neville Lawrence, Stephen’s father signalled he would attempt to overturn the Met’s downgrading of the murder investigation to “inactive”.
“I’m not angry, I’m disappointed. Yet again the Met police have failed my family. I’m going to talk to my solicitor and barrister and find out if we can do anything more. I’m not going to stop. I’m not satisfied,” Mr Lawrence told The Guardian.
He said the case would never be closed for him and he would always live in hope that one day all those responsible would be brought to justice.
Baroness Lawrence expressed disappointment at the decision to close the active part of the case and urged anyone with fresh information to come forward despite the passage of time.
Scotland Yard said it was taking the step because there were no more viable lines of inquiry remaining. But a spokesman added that the investigation would be regularly reviewed and any fresh leads or forensic breakthroughs would be pursued.
Stephen, an aspiring architect, was 18 when he was stabbed to death by a white gang in an unprovoked racist attack in Eltham, south-east London, in April 1993. The initial police investigation was dogged by allegations of corruption, racism and incompetence, and despite quickly identifying five suspects it took almost 20 years to bring anyone to justice.
Eventually in 2012, two of the original suspects, Gary Dobson and David Norris,
were jailed for life after a forensic breakthrough linked them to the killing. But the other suspects, brothers Neil and Jamie Acourt and their friend Luke Knight, remained at large.
It had been hoped that developments in technology or fresh evidence might lead to the rest of the gang being jailed, but Scotland Yard said at this stage there was little more that could be done.
Explaining the decision, Dame Cressida Dick, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, said: “This was an appalling racist murder and I am sad that we have been unable to secure further convictions for Stephen, his family and friends.”
Dame Cressida went on: “We were able to secure two convictions following a determined investigation in 2012 but it is well known that other suspects were also involved in the events which unfolded that night and it is deeply frustrating that we have been unable to bring them to justice.
“As a result of ceaseless campaigning for justice by Stephen’s parents, profound changes have happened in policing, the law and wider society. I pay tribute to them for their courage and achievements. And today my thoughts are with them and all Stephen’s loved ones.”
Responding to the news, Baroness Lawrence said: “Eight years after the conviction of two of the men that murdered Stephen, I am now told that there are no further leads to follow in the investigation. I am truly disappointed that those others who were equally responsible for my son’s racist killing may not be brought to justice.
“I am very sad that a line has now been drawn into the investigation and that it is now in an ‘inactive’ phase.
“It is never too late to give a mother justice for the murder of her son. Whilst the Metropolitan Police have given up, I never will.”
Knight is the only member of the gang who is not in prison after the Acourt brothers were both jailed for their part in a drug -dealing conspiracy.