A SIXTH suspect in the murder of Stephen Lawrence has been named publicly for the first time today.

Following an explosive BBC investigation, the corporation found the sixth suspect to be Matthew White, who died in 2021. White was 50 years old.

White was named as the sixth suspect almost 30 years after the tragic attack in south-east London in April 1993.

Out of the five originally named it was two, Gary Dobson and David Norris, who were finally sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty in 2012. Luke Knight and brothers Neil and Jamie Acourt were named publicly as the other suspects. 

White had previously been named, but only as a witness during the trial of Dobson and Norris.

The corporation also found that the Metropolitan Police seriously mishandled important inquiries regarding White.

A BBC investigation into the case revealed that White’s stepfather had gone to the police to say that he believed a relative of his had been present on the day Stephen was murdered. 

A police officer passed the information, but the tip-off was not investigated. 

Two decades later, the same relative spoke to the police and said that White had admitted to being present during the racist attack. 

In May, Duwayne Brooks who was with 18-year-old Stephen, when he was stabbed told The Voice, a total of six men were involved in the unprovoked racist attack in south east London 1993.

Speaking to The Voice, he said: “It was six of them and unless all six went down for murder, there’s no justice.

“For me personally, even if they caught all six and they were convicted and they served time in prison, that wouldn’t be enough justice for me because they came out and they butchered him.”

In April, a detective who helped to catch the killers told The Mirror, wanted to investigate the possibility of a sixth attacker but was removed from the case.

The Met Police have said White first came to their attention as a witness in 1993.

He was arrested and interviewed in March 2000 and in December 2013 and a file submitted to prosecutors in May 2005 and October 2014.

On both occasions the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) advised there was no realistic prospect of conviction of White for any offence.

The Met have also said “too many mistakes were made” during the investigation.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Ward said: “The impact of the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence and attack on Duwayne Brooks, and subsequent inquiries, continues to be felt throughout policing.

“Unfortunately, too many mistakes were made in the initial investigation and the impact of them continues to be seen.

“On the 30^th anniversary of Stephen’s murder, Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley apologised for our failings and I repeat that apology today.”

According to The Met, White told officers he had visited the home address of two other suspects on the night of the murder.

He was again seen by officers when he refused to attend the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry.

In November 1999, during the post-Inquiry investigation, White was re-interviewed.

Between March and April 2000, White was arrested and interviewed under caution following the receipt of new information from a new witness.

He denied any involvement in the murder.

In May 2005, prosecutors advised that there was no realistic prospect of conviction of White for any offence.

Following the 2012 convictions of Gary Dobson and David Norris, a seven-year post conviction investigation was undertaken.

In 2013 it was discovered that in 1993, a Met officer who was not involved in the investigation team sent a message regarding a relative of White who may hold information.

The relative was not named and was subsequently misidentified.

The Met have said: “This was a significant and regrettable error.”

It was not until 2013 that the correct relative was identified and the new information obtained.

 In December 2013, White was arrested for the second time, based on this new information. In October 2014, a further CPS advice file concluded that no further action should be taken.

Matthew White was seen and spoken to again by the investigation team in February 2020. There was insufficient witness or forensic evidence to progress further. He died in August 2021.

Later that year, the investigation was placed into and remains in an inactive phase.

In 2020, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) announced that, following an investigation commenced in 2014, they had submitted a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to consider whether four former police officers, who were in senior roles at various times during the first few weeks of the investigation, may have committed criminal offences of misconduct in public office.

In May 2023, the Met commissioned a routine forensic review of key exhibits to consider whether new scientific processes could advance the case.

Norris, 46, and Dobson, 47, are both currently serving life in prison after they were both found guilty of murder in a six-week trial in 2012, into Stephen’s death. 

Following the 2012 convictions, trial judge Mr Justice Treacy said: “On the evidence before the court, there are still three or four other killers of Stephen Lawrence at large.”

Dobson was jailed for a minimum of 15 years and two months. 

Norris was sentenced to a minimum of 14 and three months and will be eligible for parole next year.