Perjury inquiry over Lawrence trial

Witnesses in the Stephen Lawrence murder trial have been accused of perjury and prosecutors are considering charges.

Almost two decades after the killing of the black teenager, pictured, revolutionised how the police and judicial service treat race cases, two of the original suspects were convicted of his murder last month.

Yesterday it emerged that allegations had been made that some of the witnesses had lied. Police presented papers to the Crown Prosecution Service last week and discussions about whether to bring charges for perverting the course of justice are continuing. A CPS spokesman said: "It would be fair to describe this as 'pre investigation' of these specific matters and we will continue to talk to police about this issue.

"This is not a file of evidence for our consideration of charges. It is part of ongoing liaison in relation to all issues in this case."

Gary Dobson, 36, and David Norris, 35, were given minimum jail terms of 15 years and two months and 14 years and three months respectively after being found guilty of murder by an Old Bailey jury in January.

Dobson had claimed he was at his parents' home at the time of the racist killing at a south London bus stop in 1993, while Norris could not recall where he had been. The pair are now seeking to challenge their convictions.