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Stephen Lawrence murder: Friend 'could have identified sixth suspect' Stephen Lawrence murder: Friend 'could have identified sixth suspect'
(about 4 hours later)
Stephen Lawrence's murder and the failed investigation sparked a landmark public inquiryStephen Lawrence's murder and the failed investigation sparked a landmark public inquiry
Stephen Lawrence's friend has said he could have identified a sixth suspect in his friend's murder if he had been given the opportunity.Stephen Lawrence's friend has said he could have identified a sixth suspect in his friend's murder if he had been given the opportunity.
In an interview with the BBC, Duwayne Brooks said he would have picked out Matthew White, who died in 2021, in a line-up.In an interview with the BBC, Duwayne Brooks said he would have picked out Matthew White, who died in 2021, in a line-up.
On Monday, White was named as the sixth suspect in the racist killing 30 years ago, following a BBC investigation.On Monday, White was named as the sixth suspect in the racist killing 30 years ago, following a BBC investigation.
Stephen, 18, was killed in Eltham, south-east London in April 1993.Stephen, 18, was killed in Eltham, south-east London in April 1993.
Mr Brooks was waiting for a bus with Stephen at the time.Mr Brooks was waiting for a bus with Stephen at the time.
The failure of the first police investigation prompted a landmark public inquiry which concluded the Met was institutionally racist.The failure of the first police investigation prompted a landmark public inquiry which concluded the Met was institutionally racist.
Asked whether the pictures released last week were of the same person Mr Brooks had described to the police in April 1993, he said: "100%. Not only did I describe him as best I could, you had other witnesses at the bus stop who also described him." Asked whether pictures of White broadcast by the BBC investigation were of the same person he had described to police, Mr Brooks said: "100%. Not only did I describe him as best I could, you had other witnesses at the bus stop who also described him."
"I am 100% certain that if that person was put before me, and the other witnesses, in the initial stages of the investigations on an ID parade, we all would have picked him out.""I am 100% certain that if that person was put before me, and the other witnesses, in the initial stages of the investigations on an ID parade, we all would have picked him out."
Thirty years after his friend's killing, Mr Brooks said it would be "impossible" to remember what Matthew White looked like from memory. In 1993, Mr Brooks and eyewitness described an attacker who bore a plain resemblance to Matthew White, but police did not treat White as a suspect for years.
"But from the drawings it triggers how I felt, triggers how I feel today. That reminds me that that is the person. There is no doubt in my mind, from what I described, from those drawings, what you can see from the other witnesses, that that is the person who was there. At the scene, on the night." The BBC investigation included statements and artists' impressions from the time.
Mr Brooks said it would now be "impossible" to remember what the attacker looked like from memory, but "there is no doubt in my mind, from what I described, from those drawings, what you can see from the other witnesses, that that is the person who was there. At the scene, on the night."
An artist's impression of the "fair-haired attacker", Matthew White and a police e-fitAn artist's impression of the "fair-haired attacker", Matthew White and a police e-fit
Asked about the way evidence he provided about the sixth suspect - Matthew White - was handled, Mr Brooks said it was "corruption" and "decisions made back then were a deliberate act of sabotage".Asked about the way evidence he provided about the sixth suspect - Matthew White - was handled, Mr Brooks said it was "corruption" and "decisions made back then were a deliberate act of sabotage".
When approached for comment the Met said it would not be issuing a new statement.When approached for comment the Met said it would not be issuing a new statement.
Mr Brooks originally spoke to the Sunday Mirror, before being interviewed by the BBC.Mr Brooks originally spoke to the Sunday Mirror, before being interviewed by the BBC.
The Met Police has consistently said there were six white men involved, as Mr Brooks said on the night.The Met Police has consistently said there were six white men involved, as Mr Brooks said on the night.
Five prime suspects became widely known after the murder, but the public inquiry said there were "five or six" attackers.Five prime suspects became widely known after the murder, but the public inquiry said there were "five or six" attackers.
David Norris and Gary Dobson were given life sentences for the murder in 2012. The other three - Luke Knight and brothers Neil and Jamie Acourt - have not been convicted of the crime.David Norris and Gary Dobson were given life sentences for the murder in 2012. The other three - Luke Knight and brothers Neil and Jamie Acourt - have not been convicted of the crime.
How I found the new Stephen Lawrence murder suspectHow I found the new Stephen Lawrence murder suspect
BBC names new suspect in Stephen Lawrence murderBBC names new suspect in Stephen Lawrence murder
The new evidence in the UK's most notorious racist murderThe new evidence in the UK's most notorious racist murder
White was arrested twice, in 2000 and 2013, and files were sent to the Crown Prosecution Service in 2005 and 2014. But on both occasions prosecutors said there was no realistic prospect of conviction.White was arrested twice, in 2000 and 2013, and files were sent to the Crown Prosecution Service in 2005 and 2014. But on both occasions prosecutors said there was no realistic prospect of conviction.
In May and June 1993 Mr Brooks and eyewitnesses to the murder attended identity parades which included the prime suspects in the case, but Matthew White was not part of the parades.In May and June 1993 Mr Brooks and eyewitnesses to the murder attended identity parades which included the prime suspects in the case, but Matthew White was not part of the parades.
In the same BBC interview, Mr Brooks said the criminal justice system doesn't work for victims "at this moment in time". He added that an apology from the Met would be a "tick-boxing exercise".In the same BBC interview, Mr Brooks said the criminal justice system doesn't work for victims "at this moment in time". He added that an apology from the Met would be a "tick-boxing exercise".
"The way I have been treated is a disgrace. My experience should never have happened.""The way I have been treated is a disgrace. My experience should never have happened."
Duwayne Brooks, who witnessed his friend's murder, says he could have picked Matthew White out from a line-upDuwayne Brooks, who witnessed his friend's murder, says he could have picked Matthew White out from a line-up
Baroness Doreen Lawrence, Stephen Lawrence's mother, has also criticised the police handling of information about a sixth suspect in her son's murder, saying there should be "serious sanctions" against the police officers who failed to investigate White.Baroness Doreen Lawrence, Stephen Lawrence's mother, has also criticised the police handling of information about a sixth suspect in her son's murder, saying there should be "serious sanctions" against the police officers who failed to investigate White.
In response to the naming of Matthew White as a suspect, the Met Police confirmed he was seen again in 2020, but there was insufficient witness or forensic evidence to progress further.In response to the naming of Matthew White as a suspect, the Met Police confirmed he was seen again in 2020, but there was insufficient witness or forensic evidence to progress further.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Ward said: "Unfortunately, too many mistakes were made in the initial investigation and the impact of them continues to be seen.Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Ward said: "Unfortunately, too many mistakes were made in the initial investigation and the impact of them continues to be seen.
"On the 30th anniversary of Stephen's murder, Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley apologised for our failings and I repeat that apology today.""On the 30th anniversary of Stephen's murder, Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley apologised for our failings and I repeat that apology today."
Related TopicsRelated Topics
Murder of Stephen LawrenceMurder of Stephen Lawrence
ElthamEltham
Metropolitan Police ServiceMetropolitan Police Service
LondonLondon