Stephen Lawrence’s friend says he could have identified murder suspect British News

The best friend of murdered Stephen Lawrence has accused the Metropolitan Police of sabotaging the investigation as he says he could have identified the sixth suspect if given the chance.

Duwayne Brooks was present when a group of five to six people attacked and killed 18-year-old Stephen in Eltham, south-east London in 1993.

Matthew White, who was revealed last month as the sixth suspect in the murder investigation, has since died – but Duwanye says he could have picked him up in a row.

He said, “If they had put him in front of me in an ID parade back then, I would have recognized him 100%.”

“There is no doubt and I am extremely confident that other people at the bus stop would have recognized him and this case would have been solved.”

White was first arrested in March 2000 and again in December 2013 in connection with the murder.

Both times, Crown prosecutors said there was no realistic prospect of a conviction, the Met said.

Duwayne now says police “deliberately” treated White as a witness and not a suspect so he wouldn’t have to face an identity parade.

He added, “I believe the investigative team was corrupt and made decisions that they knew would be fatal to the investigation.”

“Matthew White was included in the witness group when he was supposed to be a suspect.

“I’ve been to three or four ID parades and they’ve paraded every man and his dog, cat, rat, mouse and hamster for me.

“But I was never introduced to this guy. It was a deliberate act of sabotage. He died without being brought to justice.

“It’s disappointing. He should have been brought before a jury.”

Two men were convicted of murder – Gary Dobson and David Norris – and were sentenced to life in prison in 2012.

In addition to White, brothers Neil and Jamie Acourt, who were now in prison for drug trafficking, and Luke Knight were also named as suspects.

All three have denied any involvement in the murder.

A Met Police spokesman said: “We first became aware of White as a witness in 1993.”

“He was arrested and questioned in March 2000 and December 2013, and a file was presented to the prosecutor in May 2005 and October 2014.”

“On both occasions, the CPS advised that there was no realistic prospect of White being convicted of any crime.

“In February 2020, White was approached again. There were insufficient witnesses or forensic evidence to move forward.’

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