One of the executive producers of the programme was Yvette Vanson, wife of barrister Michael Mansfield QC, who represented the Lawrence family at the inquiry.

Stephen Lawrence: His murder was shown through the eyes of his parents

The Police Superintendents Association of England and Wales is concerned that Thursday's ITV film The Murder of Stephen Lawrence, did not make the link clear.

National Secretary, Chief Superintendent Des Parkinson, said: "There is always a danger in this case that people won't know fact from fiction, particularly when it is produced by someone with close links to the case.

"There is a real danger in that and perhaps part of a campaign by some people.

"You would think from some statements that police were involved in the murder."

Ratings success

The parents of Stephen Lawrence both backed the "factual dramatisation" about the racist murder of their son in Eltham in 1993.

Produced by Granada Television, drama stars Secrets and Lies actress Marianne Jean-Baptiste as Stephen's mother, Doreen, and Hugh Quarshie as his father, Neville.

Unofficial overnight ratings showed 4.7 million people watched the first part and 3.7 million the second part after News At Ten.

The first figure represents a 22% share of the available viewing audience, which rose to 32% after the news.