Stephen's death still hurts us 20 years on, says Doreen Lawrence as PM attends memorial service

 
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22 April 2013

The mother of murdered Stephen Lawrence today said his brother and sister had been affected “more than anyone could know” by the attack that happened 20 years ago today.

Doreen Lawrence spoke as a memorial service was held to honour the black teenager whose killing forced London and its police force to confront institutional racism.

David Cameron was attending this afternoon’s service at St Martin-in-the-Fields church near Trafalgar Square, along with Opposition leader Ed Miliband and Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, in a sign of the importance of Stephen’s life and the reforms he inspired.

Beverley Knight, who wrote a song to mark the 10th anniversary of his death, was singing at the service.

The 18-year-old aspiring architect was stabbed by a gang of racists as he waited for a bus in Eltham on April 22, 1993.

Mrs Lawrence, 60, said his siblings Stuart and Georgina were still suffering over his death. “Their lives have been affected more than anyone would know from the outside,” she said. “They do the best they can and, like me, they don’t really dwell that much, but you know in their moments how depressing it is for them.

“They’ve got their own families now. So, like we all do, they try to move forward and make the best of what they have. But those moments are always there, you can’t get rid of them.”

Streatham MP Chuka Umunna said: “Stephen’s murder serves as a reminder to us all and generations to come that we can never be complacent about defeating prejudice and hatred, whatever form it takes.

“As a country, we will forever be in debt to the Lawrence family for refusing to give up, ensuring those who were guilty of Stephen’s murder were brought to justice — in so doing, they have transformed race relations.”

A message at Scotland Yard from Met Commissioner Sir Bernard said: “We let them down by not catching his murderers. Then last year we finally brought two of his killers to justice. The Met won’t forget Stephen Lawrence.”

The shambolic early investigation led to the Met being accused of “institutional racism” in a report. Gary Dobson and David Norris were finally convicted last year after a media-backed campaign for justice.

Mr Cameron said Stephen’s murder had sparked “monumental change” in society, but Symon Sentain, chair of the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust which helps young people into education, said: “While there has been progress in the 20 years since Stephen’s death, not enough has changed.”

Mrs Lawrence added: “I believe that Stephen’s life had value. His life is giving life to other young children.”

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