London Evening Standard/London
The family of Stephen Lawrence revealed yesterday that they have received threats from racist thugs and fear for their safety.
Scotland Yard is investigating after Doreen Lawrence said she and her son Stuart had recently received hate mail, and were worried they could become victims of a racist attack.
The mother of Stephen, who was killed in a racist assault 20 years ago at the age of 18, said a threat was made days ago in a letter directed at Stuart. It was sent to the charity set up in her son’s name, the Stephen Lawrence Trust.
Doreen Lawrence, 60, said she believed the threats were made because of a complaint he lodged with the Metropolitan Police over being stopped and searched.
She said: “I had to say to him to be very careful when he’s out, and try not to be out too late. I try not to be out too late when I’m travelling home. The fear is always there.”
Doreen added: “There are times we get letters sent to the trust about me and more recently one has come through about him because he made a stand.”
Stuart, 35, said he had been stopped and searched more than 25 times because of the colour of his skin.
The teacher from Peckham said his patience finally snapped following an incident in November when a policeman told him he was “naturally suspicious” of him.
Stuart’s lawyer Imran Khan filed a letter of complaint this month with Met Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe warning of legal proceedings.
Doreen said attitudes over race had not changed enough since Stephen was murdered in April 1993.
The A-level student was stabbed in an attack by a group of white youths at a bus stop in Eltham.