'If we can’t learn from Stephen Lawrence's murder, there is little hope left'

01 July 2023 , 21:22
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Stephen Lawrence was murdered 30 years ago (Image: PA)
Stephen Lawrence was murdered 30 years ago (Image: PA)

For 30 years, people have sought justice for the murder of Stephen Lawrence.

His family and friends, of course, but also the rest of the country.

It was a brutal, senseless, racist crime. It sent shockwaves not just through the community but through the whole of the UK. And the ripples are still being felt today.

The Metropolitan Police – reeling from its latest set of scandals – has never really recovered from Stephen’s murder.

It exposed not just the deeply flawed investigation but shone a light into the culture of the police in London.

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The more we’ve learned about the crime over the years, the worse it looks for the Met.

Today, we bring you the words of Stephen’s best friend, Duwayne Brooks.

Duwayne believes he would have picked out Matthew White in a line-up – had he been identified as a suspect at the time.

It would have changed the whole course of the investigation. Now, White is dead and yet another chance for justice has been missed.

The Met must learn lessons from what has happened.

Stephen’s mum, Baroness Doreen Lawrence, says “nothing much has changed” in terms of policing since his murder. This is not good enough.

Nor is it good enough that recruitment designed to encourage more black, Asian and ethnic minority applicants has failed, as we reveal today.

Policing must change. If we can’t learn from Stephen’s murder, then what hope is there?

The Met’s new Commissioner has promised root-and-branch reform.

The clock is ticking. It has been for 30 years.

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A bad taste...

Every week, more and more evidence mounts that this is a nation divided.

Four million children are in food poverty. Children are turning up to school hungry. Food banks are at record levels.

At the same time, the daughter of our multi-millionaire Prime Minister is tucking into a sumptuous menu at her £22,000-a-year private school.

It’s not the little girl’s fault – no one’s going to turn down teriyaki chicken with a bit of pineapple rice.

But what kind of country is it when the few live in luxury while so many others are left with nothing?

Rock of ages

Pals are said to be delighted that rock legend Mick Jagger and his girlfriend Melanie Hamrick are finally set to wed.

It shows some folk can always get what they want. Even if it did take a Long Long While.

Voice of the Mirror

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