18 April 2023 , 17:46
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The detective who caught two of Stephen Lawrence’s killers has said he had unfinished lines of inquiry when he was booted off the case.
Former Det Chief Insp Clive Driscoll snared the racist murderers in 2012 and was optimistic charges would be brought against more – but he was told to retire by the Met in 2014.
Mr Driscoll, portrayed by Steve Coogan in ITV drama “Stephen”, said he was investigating an alleged sixth member of the gang at the time.
Speaking ahead of the 30th anniversary of Stephen’s murder on Saturday, he said: “I’ve always felt there were lines of inquiry that could have been pursued.
“There was a person who was saying something that could be confirmed, there was corroborative evidence for this, he was saying a certain thing.
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Former Det Chief Insp Clive Driscoll at the bus stop where Stephen was murdered (STEVE FINN PHOTOGRAPHY)
The racist murder of Stephen Lawrence shocked Britain (PA)“Well you just follow that, you don’t have to be Sherlock Holmes. I think it’s a potential person that took part.
“I know Baroness Lawrence has been briefed on it and I know the person was never spoken to again.”
Gary Dobson, 47, and David Norris, 46, were jailed for the murder in 2012.
Brothers Jamie and Neil Acourt and Luke Knight were also named publicly as suspects in the killing but remain free.
Stephen, 18, was stabbed at a bus stop in Eltham, South East London on April 22, 1993. Mr Driscoll always suspected that six youths were involved.
Stephen's mother Doreen has been waging a 30-year battle for justice (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)The Met said in 2020 that “all identified lines of enquiry have been completed”.
Mr Driscoll said the Met recently made contact with him for the first time since he left. He said: “I agreed to help them. I feel I have a moral responsibility to help.”
Mr Driscoll said Baroness Casey’s review that found the Met is institutionally racist should bring about reform. He said: “Now’s the time for actions.”
The Met said: “No unsolved murder is ever closed. Any information and evidence that came to light about Stephen’s murder would be assessed and investigated accordingly.”
The Mirror yesterday reported how Stephen’s father Neville, 81, said Dobson and Norris must admit their crime if they are ever to be let out of jail.
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