International
PM pays tribute to Lawrence family
PM pays tribute to Lawrence family
Agencies/London
The murder of Stephen Lawrence sparked “monumental change” in British society, Prime Minister David Cameron said ahead of a memorial service to mark the 20th anniversary of the teenager’s death. |
Stephen, 18, was murdered by a gang of racists who stabbed him as he waited for a bus in Eltham, south-east London, on April 22, 1993.
The police investigation into his death was marred by incompetence and allegations of racism, and it took 19 years to bring any of his killers to justice.
Cameron praised the tireless efforts of Stephen’s family in their campaign for justice, but acknowledged “more still needs to be done”.
The prime minister said: “The senseless killing of Stephen Lawrence in 1993 was a tragedy. It was also a moment that sparked monumental change in our society - change that has been brought about by the tireless efforts of Stephen’s family in challenging the police, government and society to examine themselves and ask difficult questions. I believe that many of those questions have been answered: from improved community relations to more accountability in policing.
“Much has been achieved, but we know that more still needs to be done. We owe this to the memory of Stephen.”
Stephen’s mother Doreen was later joined by friends and relatives at the memorial service which took place at St Martin-in-the-Fields church near Trafalgar Square.
A number of high-profile supporters of the charitable trust that she set up in her son’s name attended, including Metropolitan police commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe.
He and his predecessors have attended previous memorial events for Stephen, despite the troubled background of the case.