I will face Stephen's killers & demand a confession: Dr Neville Lawrence

THE father of tragic teenager Stephen Lawrence has said it is "essential" that the racists jailed for his killing admit their crime before they are allowed to walk free.

- TOM PETTIFOR

Neville Lawrence, 81, told the Daily Mirror he will face Gary Dobson, 47, and David Norris, 46, at their parole hearings to give a victim impact statement.

Norris will become eligible for parole next year and Dobson in 2025.

The pair are the only members of the gang that fatally stabbed Stephen, 18, at a bus stop in Eltham, South East London on April 22, 1993, to be convicted.

Mr Lawrence said: "To me, it would be essential that these people say, 'Yes, I murdered Stephen Lawrence, before they are let out into society again.

"My son is dead, he will never be able to come out of the coffin." In an interview ahead of the 30th anniversary of Stephen's death on Saturday, Mr Lawrence also said he sees no point in meeting Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley in his ongoing quest for justice.

A report by Baroness Louise Casey last month found the force guilty of institutional racism, sexism and homophobia showing little has changed since the 1999 Macpherson report found the Met had a problem with racism.

Mr Lawrence said: "No one is taking any notice of what we're saying, they haven't been for 30 years, so why would I even bother? I don't want to meet him.

"If there should ever be a situation where somebody was able to bring good evidence to try to get the rest of the people responsible for my son's death, who's going to take the case?"