BBC News Online: UK

Lawrence suspects 'face new charges'

The Sunday Telegraph said the new charges might be conspiracy to murder, affray and assault.

But a Scotland Yard spokesman would only say that the police had "identified a number of ways forward".

No one has been convicted of murdering Stephen Lawrence, who was stabbed in Eltham, south-east London, in 1993, and three of the suspects were cleared of a murder charge at the Old Bailey in 1996.

It was widely assumed that none of the suspects - Gary Dobson, Luke Knight, brothers Neil and Jamie Acourt, and David Norris - could be prosecuted again in relation to Mr Lawrence's death because of the collapse of previous proceedings.

Racist crimes

Deputy Assistant Commissioner John Grieve, head of Scotland Yard's racial and violent crime taskforce, is leading a team of 15 officers investigating the murder of A-level student Stephen.

Mr Grieve, one of Scotland Yard's most senior and respected detectives, is already investigating other high-profile racist crimes, including the murder of black musician Michael Menson.

Scotland Yard said in a statement: "The new investigation by the racial and violent crime taskforce is challenging the assumptions which have previously been made surrounding the murder of Stephen Lawrence.

"A meeting of all the intelligence analysts who have worked on the case was held at New Scotland Yard last week which has identified a number of ways forward.

"DAC John Grieve visited Eltham on Wednesday where he walked around the scene and surrounding streets."

Home Secretary Jack Straw is due to receive the report of Sir William Macpherson of Cluny, who headed the inquiry into the Stephen Lawrence case, on Friday.

It is expected to contain damning criticism of the way in which the Metropolitan Police dealt with the case.

Relevant Stories

Police ready for Lawrence inquiry criticism (07 Feb 99 | UK)
Stephen Lawrence officers face punishment (12 Jan 99 | UK)
Police see 'blacks as worthless' says Lawrence (11 Jan 99 | UK)
Lawrence five set for 'trial by media' (02 Sep 98 | Entertainment)
Lessons of the Lawrence inquiry (16 Jul 98 | UK)
'We did not kill Stephen Lawrence' (30 Jun 98 | UK)
Violence erupts at Lawrence inquiry (30 Jun 98 | UK)

Internet Links

Stephen Lawrence Family Campaign

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

In this section

Next steps for peace
Blairs' surprise over baby
Bowled over by Lord's
Beef row 'compromise' under fire
Hamilton 'would sell mother'
Industry misses new trains target
Quins fightback shocks Cardiff (From Sport)
Vodafone takeover battle heats up (From Business)
IRA ceasefire challenge rejected
Thousands celebrate Asian culture
Christie could get two-year ban (From Sport)
Colleagues remember Compo (From Entertainment)
Mother pleads for baby's return
Toys withdrawn in E.coli health scare
Nurses role set to expand (From Health)
Israeli PM's plane in accident
More lottery cash for grassroots
Pro-lifers plan shock launch
Double killer gets life
Cold 'cure' comes one step closer (From Health)
Straw on trial over jury reform (From UK Politics)
Tatchell calls for rights probe into Mugabe
Ex-spy stays out in the cold
Blair warns Livingstone (From UK Politics)
Smear equipment `misses cancers' (From Health)
Boyzone star gets in Christmas spirit (From Entertainment)
Fake bubbly warning
Murder jury hears dead girl's diary
Germ warfare fiasco revealed (From UK Politics)
Blair babe triggers tabloid frenzy
Tourists shot by mistake
A new look for News Online