The mother of murdered London teenager Stephen Lawrence today received an honorary doctorate for her services to education — and her campaign for reforms to the criminal justice system.
Doreen Lawrence was awarded the honour by the University of East London in a ceremony at the O2 Arena. The university said she had “shone attention on institutional racism in the police service”.
Mrs Lawrence’s campaign followed the racist murder of her 18-year-old son in 1993 in Eltham. Her ex-husband, Neville, is also an honorary UEL graduate.
Five years after Stephen’s murder, his parents founded the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, so that “future generations of young people would enjoy the opportunities that were denied to Stephen”, an A-level student and aspiring architect.
UEL vice-chancellor Professor Patrick McGhee said: “As a university, we have enjoyed a long and fruitful relationship with the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Centre, which has helped benefit the lives of many of our students.
“Doreen Lawrence’s tireless efforts to deliver sweeping reforms to the Metropolitan Police Service and criminal justice system in the face of great adversity — and in the wake of her own personal grief — are a shining example to us all.”
In September, Mrs Lawrence was given an honorary fellowship by Goldsmiths, University of London, in recognition of her campaign for justice.
Gary Dobson, 36, and David Norris, 35, were jailed for life at the Old Bailey in January for the racist murder of Stephen. In August their application for permission to appeal against the convictions was rejected. They have the right to renew their applications before the Court of Appeal.
