'HUGE RELIEF' FOR LAWRENCE CAMPAIGN

Stephen Lawrence justice campaigners described "a sense of huge relief" today as they celebrated the end of the 18-year ordeal.

Paul Anderson-Walsh, chief of the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, hailed the victim's mother Doreen for being "a metaphor for the very best of British values".

Welcoming today's guilty verdicts against Gary Dobson and David Norris, he said: "Throughout the 18-year ordeal, the Lawrence family's desire has been the pursuit of justice - today, justice was served.

"As one door closes, they are determined to make sure that other doors open."

Michael Mansfield QC, who represented Mr Lawrence's parents at his inquest, hailed the "huge dignity and persistence" they had shown in seeking justice.

He added: "It is a component in changing the public perception of these cases. This is just another milestone for the family in a very long journey.

"It is a real tribute to the family that they have fought so long to bring about change."

Mr Anderson-Walsh added: "Stephen Lawrence's murder leaves in its wake a changed criminal justice landscape, but it is a change in the social justice topography that the Lawrence family hopes will be Stephen Lawrence's lasting legacy.

"The greatest desire of the Lawrence family is to give to others what was so cruelly snatched from Stephen - a chance to fulfil their potential in life.

"Through the Trust that bears his name, Doreen Lawrence and those who work for and with the Trust are helping to grow a fairer society by watering the seeds of ambition, one 'Stephen' at a time.

"Whilst Stephen's death has become a metaphor for individual and institutional racism, Stephen's mother, the inspirational Doreen Lawrence OBE is a metaphor for the very best of British values: dignity, courage and sheer tenacity."

Labour leader Ed Miliband said he hoped the verdict would help bring closure for the Lawrence family.

He said: "The murder of Stephen Lawrence was not only a tragedy for a talented young man and his family, it was a wake up call to all of us who believe Britain is - and always must be - a country where everyone is shown respect irrespective of race, culture or faith.

"I am proud that 18 years on from Stephen's murder, Britain is a much more tolerant and open country. We have new laws to prevent the stirring of racial hatred, while following the Macpherson Report, reforms were made to ensure that our public institutions are better representative and responsive to all the people.

"But we must never allow ourselves to become complacent about the threat of racism. And we must continue to confront it, in all its forms."

Bevan Powell, chairman of the Metropolitan Black Police Association, said the verdicts "bring a sense of justice to a long overdue prosecution".

He added: "The Lawrences' persistence brought about a social consciousness which questioned and challenged the then existing inadequacies and failures inherent within the police and wider justice system to deliver fairness in cases which involved race and minority communities."

Charles Crichlow, president of the association, added: "These guilty verdicts represent a triumph for the Lawrence family's determination and despite the failings of the initial police investigation they represent also a triumph of justice."

Forensic scientists who unearthed new evidence leading to the conviction said they were "hugely" proud.

LGC forensic services, a private firm, said its work in securing fibres from clothing and blood fragments in the packaging had been "painstaking and meticulous".

Steve Allen, Managing Director of LGC Forensics said: "I'm extremely proud of the work that LGC's forensic scientists did on this case. Persistence, meticulous science and innovation can help convict criminals years after they committed the crime.

"This case shows that the key to successful forensics is to assume nothing - which is all the more important in historic cases like the murder of Stephen Lawrence."

Clive Efford, Labour MP for Eltham, where the attack took place, said he hoped the police investigation would continue if officers believe there were others involved.

Mr Efford told the BBC: "We have all seen the publicity and the suggestion of who those people might be.

"It has always been suggested it was five, possibly six, suspects and if they have any other evidence that will allow further prosecutions in the future I hope we will see those because justice must be done in this case.

"We are part of the way there today and there are others that were involved that must face justice as well."

He added: "The new technology and science that is available to us means that convictions like this are possible.

"That was the reason double jeopardy was introduced, because the technology was allowing us to go back and review some previous court decisions and in the case of murder it was decided that we should be allowed to use that new science."

Former Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, said Mr and Mrs Lawrence had "altered the terms of how we think about racism".

"It is extremely moving that the Lawrence family has finally secured a measure of justice," he said.

"This has been a momentous and long-overdue verdict.

"In the course of their dignified campaign for justice, Doreen and Neville Lawrence have changed many lives, and altered the terms of how we think about racism in our country.

"Institutions and individuals, including of course the Metropolitan Police, had to re-examine how they work.

"At the heart of this is the case of a young man killed because he was black. Our thoughts today should be first and foremost with Stephen's family."

The Institute of Race Relations praised the "tenacious struggle waged by the Lawrence family to indict those responsible for the racist killing of Stephen".

But it said its own research had found that 96 people have lost their lives in the UK in apparent racial attacks since 1993.

IRR spokesperson Harmit Athwal said: "Racial violence is not in any way decreasing - just the circumstances surrounding attacks and the profile of its victims change with the times."

Former Home Secretary Jack Straw said police relations with black and Asian young men had improved dramatically as a result of the tireless work of Mr Lawrence's parents.

Mr Straw told the BBC: "I don't suggest for a moment that if you are a black or Asian young man you get the same deal in your treatment by the police as you do if you were an equivalent white young man so we still have a long way to go.

"Things have improved dramatically and that is down to the extraordinary courage and determination which Neville and Doreen Lawrence showed in keeping alive the case for justice for their murdered son Stephen and for getting on for 19 years they couldn't get anyone convicted for the murder.

"What they were able to do was make the case to me when I was the shadow Home Secretary in 1994 and 1995 about the case for the inquiry."

Mr Straw said Mr Lawrence had no way of knowing how wonderful his parents were.

"They kept his flame alive and I take my hat off particularly to Doreen who has been indefatigable in campaigning for justice for Stephen.

"She is a force of nature and it is not a good idea to get in her way."

Alison Saunders, chief Crown prosecutor for London, said the Lawrence case was one of the "most significant of its generation" and paid tribute to the Lawrence family for their "perseverance and determination".

Speaking outside the Old Bailey, she said: "The Crown Prosecution Service brought this prosecution after a lot of hard work and scientific developments. We have worked very closely with the police throughout their investigations and with the Lawrence family to bring these killers to justice.

"This is one of the most significant cases of this generation, changing attitudes, policing and the law. It has taken a long time and a lot of hard work to get here."

Ms Saunders explained how the prosecution had taken the "exceptional step" of applying to the High Court to quash Gary Dobson's acquittal and order a retrial.

She said: "We were convinced that the new and compelling evidence presented by the police was strong enough to successfully prosecute these individuals. The High Court agreed with the application for a retrial.

"It should be remembered that 18 years ago, a young man lost his life. We hope these convictions will offer some justice to the family and friends of Stephen Lawrence.

"The family of Stephen have long campaigned for justice to be done in this case and I would like to pay tribute to them for their perseverance and determination in this matter."

Liberal Democrat London mayoral candidate Brian Paddick said more must be done to restore trust in police.

The former Scotland Yard chief, who acted as an intermediary for the victim's best friend Duwayne Brooks during the trial, said: "It is a great relief that after so many years people have been brought to justice for the tragic death of Stephen Lawrence.

"Many lessons have been learnt and changes made as a result of this case, but there is much more to be done before all Londoners have trust and confidence in the police."

Kit Malthouse, the capital's deputy mayor for policing, added: "That his parents, Doreen and Neville, had to wage such a long and determined battle for justice is a matter of regret, but today's verdicts are a vindication for them, and a tribute to the diligence of the investigatory team at the Met and their CPS colleagues."

Prime Minister David Cameron said: "In the 19 years since his murder, Stephen Lawrence's family has fought tirelessly for justice.

"Today's verdict cannot ease the pain of losing a son.

"But, for Doreen and Neville Lawrence, I hope that it brings at least some comfort after their years of struggle."

Daily Mail editor Paul Dacre, who famously published a front page in 1997 which branded Dobson and Norris "murderers", welcomed the verdicts.

"This really is a glorious day for Neville and Doreen Lawrence, who after all the betrayals, injustice, and tears, finally after nearly two decades have secured justice for Stephen," he said in a video on his paper's website.

"It is a glorious day for the police, who after the utter disgrace of the original investigation have through sheer bloody perseverance and brilliant detective work wiped out this blot on the Yard's history and shown that British policing at its best is still something to be very proud of.

"It is a glorious day for British justice which shows that while mistakes can be made, our judicial system does provide redress for every member of British society, whatever their racial background."

Mr Dacre praised former Labour ministers Jack Straw and David Blunkett for setting up the Macpherson Inquiry into the police's handling of the case and for reforming the centuries-old "double jeopardy" law so Dobson and Norris could be put on trial again.

He added: "It is a glorious day for British newspapers, proving that the power of journalism, courageous headlines and relentless campaigning can act as a huge force for good in society and make a major difference to countless lives."

Clive Efford, the Labour MP for Eltham, said he hoped the case would prove a "watershed" and that no other family would be faced by the same "injustices" the Lawrence family had to overcome.

Trevor Phillips, chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said: "Stephen Lawrence's murder was a turning point for Britain; it changed us all. Most people today see racial prejudice as a secular sin that is not to be tolerated.

"One legacy of his tragic death was a significant change to race discrimination law. This goes way beyond how the police handle hate crimes, it gets to the very roots of how any public body considers and deals with discrimination of all kinds."

PA 2012