THE dramatic naming of a sixth suspect in the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence today left Scotland Yard facing new questions about its ability to deliver justice for black Londoners.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that Matthew White had been arrested twice over Stephen’s murder in April 1993 after a BBC investigation named him as a suspect in the notorious killing.
The BBC said that White, who died in 2021 aged 50, had been present at the killing and matched the description of an unidentified fair-haired man seen by witness Duwayne Brooks at the scene of the crime in Eltham, south-east London.
The investigation said that a relative had tried to report White’s involvement soon after the murder but was only contacted 20 years later because of a blunder in entering the testimony into a police database. It further disclosed that a witness told the Met in 2000 that White had admitted being part of the attack — as well as testifying that brothers Neil and Jamie Acourt, who have never faced justice, took part — but detectives failed to corroborate the evidence.
It said the force had also failed to pursue a recommendation three years earlier that it should consider whether White had been present at the murder and reported claims by a detective involved in bringing two of Stephen’s killers to justice that former Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick had discouraged him from pursuing other suspects.
The revelations provoked an angry response and calls for a fresh investigation to establish if others beyond the two killers, David Norris and Gary Dobson, already convicted of Stephen’s murder, could still be brought to justice.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Only £65k a month to live like Boy George
The Karma Chameleon singer listed his house for £17m in 2022, turning down offers. Now, he's looking for a tenant
Welcome to London, unicorn capital of Europe
We're flying far ahead of anywhere outside US for tech investment
Arteta's Arsenal evolution The next phase
Malik Ouzia and Simon Collings assess how the Spaniard will try to bring down Man City after he signs up for another three years with the title in his sights
Title fight catches fire after Gunners embrace dark side
Arsenal-City clashes take on a welcome edge of animosity
Whack the hippy gong-boho's back
It happened in Paris one grey February day. Sienna Miller was in an oversized, black leather jacket, lace-trimmed silk slip and clumpy great wedges.
There's a Starlink waiting in the sky... 7,000 in fact.Can Elon Musk stop them crashing to Earth?
As he was preparing his fields for seeding this year, Barry Sawchuk came across a giant slab of space debris. It had come from a spacecraft belonging to Elon Musk’s company, SpaceX.
'Politicians are only into power-mongering, corruption and cronyism'
We speak to alt revolutionary DEEPAK CHOPRA about biomarkers, his digital twin and his work to save humanity from disease
I've been waiting for a production of Godotthis brilliant all my life
Ben Whishaw and Lucian Msamati bring a potent, tragicomic chemistry to James Macdonald’s rich revival of Samuel Beckett’s challenging play.
Trust me, the Ritz is London's bestrestaurant
To whom we turn in moments of gloom and glory can be instructive, a filter of our truest friends. I've fallen out with the Ritz a couple of times, including once after a visit to the bar which didn’t warrant a review (“But you said it was lovely!” they said.
'Healing is a dirty word'
After four traumatic years, FKA twigs is back with a new album -and a thrilling metamorphosis