Pic LOCOG

Lewisham anti-racism icon, Doreen Lawrence, has been tipped to become Labour’s London Mayoral Candidate for 2016, according to an article in The Sunday People.

The campaigning mother of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence was made a Labour peer in 2013, and party insiders have now described her as ‘influential and dynamic’, with broad appeal.

In an article for the newspaper, policy coordinator Jon Cruddas wrote: “She’s a class act and going from strength to strength. People in Westminster are starting to tip her as a potential Mayor for our capital city. Now that is an interesting idea”.

The party is said to be in the early talks about formally approaching her, but there has been no official confirmation.

A spokeswoman said: “The Labour Party’s selection process for our London Mayoral candidate is not yet under way.”

Lawrence, who was recently named UK’s number one “game changer”, topping Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour Power List, has been tirelessly campaigning for justice since 1993, after her 18 year-old-son Stephen was stabbed to death in an unprovoked racist attack at a bus stop in Eltham, Greenwich.

Two killers were eventually convicted in 2012, after lengthy investigations.

She also founded the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, promoting professional opportunities within ethnic minorities, and in 2008 Lawrence opened the Stephen Lawrence Centre, in Deptford, a favoured venue for business ventures committed to diversity and social change.

“Doreen Lawrence is one of the most inspiring women of our times. […] We are very proud that the Stephen Lawrence Centre is located in Lewisham”, said the local Mayor, Steve Bullock.

 By Cristiana Bedei