Police have ytaken the unusual step of naming a new suspect in the murder of Stephen Lawrence. Stephen Lawrence was a young British man who was murdered in a racially motivated attack in London, England, in 1993.
On April 22, 1993, Stephen was waiting for a bus in Eltham, southeast London, when he was attacked by a group of white youths. The attack was unprovoked and racially motivated. Despite receiving medical attention, Stephen Lawrence succumbed to his injuries and died shortly after the attack.
The murder of Stephen Lawrence and the subsequent investigation became a landmark case in the United Kingdom. The investigation and prosecution were heavily criticized for a lack of progress and alleged institutional racism within the police force. The case brought to light issues of racial inequality, injustice, and police misconduct.
The Lawrence family's tireless campaign for justice, along with public pressure and media attention, eventually led to a public inquiry, known as the Macpherson Report. The report, published in 1999, concluded that the Metropolitan Police Service was institutionally racist and made numerous recommendations for reform within the police force and criminal justice system.
The Stephen Lawrence case had a significant impact on race relations and the fight against racism in the United Kingdom. It highlighted the need for reforms to address racial discrimination and improve trust between minority communities and law enforcement agencies. The legacy of Stephen Lawrence continues to resonate, and his name remains associated with the pursuit of justice, equality, and the fight against racism.
Although two men were convicted of Stephen’s murder in 2012, Met Police today said they know other suspects have not yet been brought to justice.
Matthew White has now been named as a suspect, with police saying he 'first came to our attention as a witness in 1993'. He was arrested and interviewed in March 2000 and in December 2013 and a file 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, say the police.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Ward today 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."
White first came to the attention of the investigation team in May 1993 when he told officers he had visited the home address of two other suspects on the night of the murder. He was again seen by officers when he refused to attend the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry. In November 1999, during the post-Inquiry investigation, White was re-interviewed.
Between March and April 2000, White was arrested and interviewed under caution following the receipt of new information from a new witness. He denied any involvement in the murder. In May 2005, prosecutors advised that there was no realistic prospect of conviction of White for any offence.
Following the 2012 convictions of Gary Dobson and David Norris, a seven-year post conviction investigation was undertaken. In 2013 it was discovered that in 1993, a Met officer who was not involved in the investigation team sent a message regarding a relative of White who may hold information.
The relative was not named and was subsequently misidentified. Police say this was a significant and regrettable error. It was not until 2013 that the correct relative was identified and the new information obtained. In December 2013, White was arrested for the second time, based on this new information. In October 2014, a further 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. He died in August 2021. Later that year, the investigation was placed into and remains in an inactive phase.
In 2020, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) announced that, following an investigation commenced in 2014, they had submitted a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to consider whether four former police officers, who were in senior roles at various times during the first few weeks of the investigation, may have committed criminal offences of misconduct in public office.
In May 2023, the Met commissioned a routine forensic review of key exhibits to consider whether new scientific processes could advance the case.
