Stephen Lawrence. Photo: Lawrence family
Home Secretary Theresa May has reportedly offered to meet with the mother of Stephen Lawrence following calls for a second public inquiry into the 1993 murder case.
Home Office minister James Brokenshire was today summoned to the Commons to update MPs following reports that Theresa May is considering a second public inquiry into the Metropolitan Police’s handling of the first enquiry.
He confirmed that no decision has been taken as yet on whether to order a new inquiry, but said that the Home Secretary was treating the new allegations of corruption surrounding the case with “utmost seriousness”.
James Brokenshire’s appearance at the Commons came following an urgent question from Clive Efford, the MP for Eltham, where Stephen’s murder took place in 1993.
He revealed that Theresa May had invited Doreen Lawrence to the Home Office and would be urging the Commissioner of the Met, Bernard Hogan-Howe, to quicken the police investigation into the new claims.
The Lawrence family wrote to the Home Secretary last month asking for a second public inquiry after the issue of police corruption re-emerged with the suggestion that the MacPherson inquiry panel were not provided with a relevant internal Met Police document.
The minister told MPs: “Allegations of police corruption must always be taken seriously and investigated thoroughly. It is essential that we ensure that the actions and behaviours of any corrupt police officers do not undermine public confidence in the police’s ability to respond to, investigate and fight crime.”
He stated that the Home Secretary would make a decision on an inquiry once police reported findings of their investigation into the allegations. Scotland Yard last night said that documents relating to the case were being gathered, overseen by the Commissioner. They did not confirm when the Home Secretary would receive the Met’s report.
Clive Efford, the MP who forced the Home Office’s emergency statement, said “only an independent public inquiry will satisfy public concerns over the new allegations.”
