Too late for Stephen but not for Met chief to drive reform

THE naming of Matthew White as a sixth suspect in the murder of Stephen Lawrence raises disturbing new questions about the Met’s failings and its inability to secure proper justice over one of the capital’s most notorious killings.

- Martin Bentham

The evidence revealed today suggests White was both present at Stephen’s murder in April 1993 and resembled an unidentified fair-haired attacker described by eyewitnesses as taking part in the attack.

Other evidence and the knowledge that corruption, racism and incompetence marred the investigation into Stephen’s death from the start will convince most that White, who died in 2021, should have been put in the dock instead of being left to enjoy his liberty while Stephen’s family and friends continued to grieve. That’s shameful enough and today’s apology and admission of past failings by the Met will be no consolation.