Lawrence QC: Inquiry has too many secrets. We’re losing faith
The public inquiry into undercover policing risks public trust by allowing too much secrecy, according to the parents of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence.
Lawyers for the family, who were allegedly spied on by the police, say they are losing confidence in the inquiry after it allowed the cover names of 51 officers to remain secret, along with 119 real names of officers and staff. So far, one has been published – David Hagan – but four others remain anonymous that the Lawrence family would like identified.
Stephen was murdered by a gang in 1993 and incompetence and racism within the Met Police marred the original investigation.
His parents campaigned for years for justice, but it has since emerged that campaign was itself targeted by undercover police.
Imran Khan QC, who represents Baroness Doreen Lawrence, said his client had doubts the inquiry would reveal why her family were spied on. Counsel for Stephen’s father Dr Neville Lawrence echoed her concerns.
Mr Khan said: “The fact that the Metropolitan Police and the individual officers have made applications for anonymity and, more importantly, that they have been granted, is a travesty and goes against everything that a public inquiry stands for and what Baroness Lawrence expected.
Heather Williams QC, representing Dr Lawrence, said if the family were at least given the cover names, they would be able to give evidence about what the police spies did.