Lawrence lawyers make new call for witnesses

Lawyers reviewing allegations of corruption in the original police investigation into the murder of Stephen Lawrence, revealed by The Independent earlier this year, have repeated calls for witnesses to come forward.

The Lawrence family has long suspected corruption played a part in the Met's failure to arrest the two men finally convicted in January, Gary Dobson and David Norris, and three other members of a white gang, despite dozens of people coming forward to name them in days of the stabbing in south-east London.

A team led by Mark Ellison QC is looking into the accusations and is expected to report in July 2013. Mr Ellison is working with fellow barrister Alison Morgan.

The pair successfully prosecuted Gary Dobson and David Norris for the racist murder of Mr Lawrence in 1993.

There have been numerous Met internal inquiries, and one by the police watchdog, which said there was no evidence of corruption playing a part in the investigation.

The Macpherson Inquiry found Scotland Yard was "institutionally racist" but said there was no evidence of corruption.

Mr Ellison and Mr Morgan are examining whether there is evidence that provides reasonable grounds to suspect any officer acted corruptly during the initial investigation, and whether there are any further lines of investigation linked to alleged corruption.