Lawrence friend attacks Straw decision

Jack Straw is accused of conceding to racism

The friend who saw Stephen Lawrence murdered has demanded Home Secretary Jack Straw reverse his decision to reinstate a police officer sacked for racism.

Duwayne Brooks was with 18-year-old Stephen when a white gang stabbed him to death in Eltham, south east London, in 1993.

He has attacked the reinstatement of Pc Steve Hutt - sacked for calling a 14-year-old boy a "black bastard" during an arrest - as a "concession to racism".

Pc Hutt said he made the remark in a "moment of madness"

Writing to Mr Straw on Thursday, the 25-year-old said the campaign among Metropolitan Police officers backing Mr Hutt was part of the backlash against the Macpherson report.

The report concluded that "institutional racism" in the force played a large part in the failure to find Stephen's killers.

Pc Hutt was sacked after an incident in February 1999 when a 14-year-old youth was arrested and put into the back of a van.

After spending some time trying to pacify him, Pc Hutt eventually pushed him into a seat and shouted: "Sit down, you black bastard."

He was subsequently suspended and a disciplinary tribunal dismissed him from the force.

But the home secretary acted to reverse the sacking last month after thousands of police officers signed a petition demanding his reinstatement.

Stephen Lawrence: Stabbed to death in 1993

Pc Hutt admitted he had made the comment in a "moment of madness" but said he bitterly regretted it.

But Mr Brooks said the campaign to reinstate the police officer was "coded racism".

He told Mr Straw: "Your decision to support this view and reinstate Pc Hutt is a concession to racism.

"Your decision has dismayed and angered black people. We will have to suffer the racist arrogance and discrimination of police officers who feel they can get away with it because Pc Hutt got away with it.

'Race card'

"People have rightfully condemned politicians for using the strategy of the 'race card' in order to pander to the Middle England vote.

"I hope that you have not decided to adopt such a strategy. That is why you must reverse your decision."

He said from his own experience he was aware that institutional racism was still "alive and well" in the Met.

Mr Brooks has previously complained of suffering "traumatic treatment" at the hands of police since the murder.

Pc Hutt, who is due to return to work this week, has said his own ordeal was "hell" and pushed him to the brink of a breakdown.

Parents support Pc

He was supported by the parents of the teenager he swore at and some black police officers.

But the Metropolitan Police branch of the Black Police Association condemned his reinstatement.

Chairman Inspector Leroy Logan said it "unleashes a licence to be racist".

The home office says it has received Mr Brooks' letter and will respond "in due course".