Met spied on Stephen Lawrence family, inquiry told

A public inquiry into undercover policing disclosed that the Metropolitan Police began monitoring the Lawrence family just after Stephen's murder in April 1993. Barrister Ifeanyi Odogwu, representing the family, emphasized that as they sought justice, the police turned their surveillance on them. Officers from the Special Demonstration Squad collected extensive personal information about the Lawrences, including marital breakdowns during the public inquiry and details regarding their civil claims against the police. Odogwu described the police actions as "truly abhorrent and shocking," noting that the information gathered did not contribute to preventing any public disorder, which was the supposed goal of the SDS. Neville Lawrence condemned the implication that their family was under suspicion, stating, “It was as though our grief was treated as a threat.

” The inquiry is investigating the activities of the SDS from 1993 to 2007, focusing on how their surveillance affected the family during sensitive times. This examination highlights the need for accountability in police conduct, especially regarding racial tensions and public trust. The findings may prompt discussions on reforming police surveillance practices in sensitive cases.