Cops spent their time trying to smear us ...it's hard to believe

Stephen Lawrence's mum says she has been 'punished' for 32 years

- BY PATRICK HILL

(Gary Dobson & David Norris were convicted over killing)

THE mother of murdered Stephen Lawrence broke down in tears as she told a public inquiry she has not been able to grieve for her son properly for 32 years.

Baroness Doreen Lawrence has campaigned for justice since her eldest child, then 18, was murdered by a gang of racists in April 1993.

In an emotionally charged end to a day of giving evidence to the public inquiry into undercover policing, Lady Lawrence, 73, said her family had "been punished for 32 years".

She told the hearing: "I haven't had the opportunity to grieve my son properly because I have had to challenge every step of the way...

"Your skin colour should have nothing to do with it. When somebody has done something wrong, they need to be punished.