The Metropolitan Police have identified a new suspect in the infamously racist murder of Stephen Lawrence.
A BBC investigation named Matthew White, who passed away in 2021 at the age of 50, and charged the force with handling significant inquiries against him improperly.
According to the broadcaster, there is proof that White was the’sixth man’ in the attack that happened in Eltham, southeast London, 30 years ago.
The Met responded by repeating Sir Mark Rowley’s apology from earlier this year on the anniversary of Stephen’s passing and noting that White had been detained twice.
On both occasions, the force said, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had advised there was no realistic prospect of his conviction.
Stephen Lawrence was 18 years old when a group of white men stabbed him to death as he waited for a bus with his friend Duwayne Brooks in April 1993.
While the police have repeatedly said there were six attackers, only two people were ever found guilty.
David Norris and Gary Dobson were given life sentences for Stephen’s murder in 2012, and the three other prime suspects – Luke Knight and brothers Neil and Jamie Acourt – were never convicted.
The BBC has said evidence found in the investigation that identified White also further implicates Knight and the Acourt brothers.
In 2020, Commissioner Cressida Dick declared the case inactive, saying the Met had exhausted all lines of inquiry – but she said the Lawrence family had been assured that any new evidence would be investigated.
Following the release of the BBC report, the force’s Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Ward said: ‘The impact of the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence and attack on Duwayne Brooks, 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.’
The broadcaster highlighted a number of moments when alleged errors by the Met meant leads on Matthew White were not pursued.
The investigation found that wrong information was entered on a police database after a relative of White tried to approach the force, meaning the inquiry went no further.
When the relative was traced 20 years later, they said White had admitted to being present at the attack.
The Met said White was arrested and interviewed in March 2000 and in December 2013, with files submitted to prosecutors in May 2005 and October 2014.
A CPS advice file concluded no further action should be taken both times.
Speaking to the BBC, Stephen’s father Dr Neville Lawrence said any further investigation should be carried out by a different ‘decent police force’, while his mother Doreen said officers should ‘lose their jobs’ over the failings.
Luke Knight, Neil Acourt and James Acourt did not respond to the accusations when approached by the broadcaster.
On both occasions, the force said, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had advised there was no realistic prospect of his conviction.
Stephen Lawrence was 18 years old when a group of white men stabbed him to death as he waited for a bus with his friend Duwayne Brooks in April 1993.
While the police have repeatedly said there were six attackers, only two people were ever found guilty.
David Norris and Gary Dobson were given life sentences for Stephen’s murder in 2012, and the three other prime suspects – Luke Knight and brothers Neil and Jamie Acourt – were never convicted.
The BBC has said evidence found in the investigation that identified White also further implicates Knight and the Acourt brothers.
In 2020, Commissioner Cressida Dick declared the case inactive, saying the Met had exhausted all lines of inquiry – but she said the Lawrence family had been assured that any new evidence would be investigated.
Following the release of the BBC report, the force’s Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Ward said: ‘The impact of the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence and attack on Duwayne Brooks, 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.’
The broadcaster highlighted a number of moments when alleged errors by the Met meant leads on Matthew White were not pursued.
The investigation found that wrong information was entered on a police database after a relative of White tried to approach the force, meaning the inquiry went no further.
When the relative was traced 20 years later, they said White had admitted to being present at the attack.
The Met said White was arrested and interviewed in March 2000 and in December 2013, with files submitted to prosecutors in May 2005 and October 2014.
A CPS advice file concluded no further action should be taken both times.
Speaking to the BBC, Stephen’s father Dr Neville Lawrence said any further investigation should be carried out by a different ‘decent police force’, while his mother Doreen said officers should ‘lose their jobs’ over the failings.
Luke Knight, Neil Acourt and James Acourt did not respond to the accusations when approached by the broadcaster.