The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has decided not to charge four retired Metropolitan Police officers over their handling of the investigation of Stephen Lawrence’s murder, Sky News understands.

Stephen Lawrence was killed by a gang of five or six racist attackers in southeast London as he made his way home with a friend in April 1993.

Just two of the murderers have faced justice. Gary Dobson and David Norris were jailed for life in 2012 after a trial that relied on tiny traces of forensic evidence.

The CPS had been considering whether or not to charge four former Met detectives with misconduct in public office offences over the failings of the investigation.

But it announced today the officers will not face prosecution.

The decision comes after the head of the Met said the investigation into the 1993 killing may never progress because the original inquiry did “such a bad job”.

Sir Mark Rowley, speaking to the London Assembly Police and Crime Committee, admitted errors made by detectives after the murder caused irreparable damage.

Stephen Lawrence investigation may never progress as original detectives did ‘such a bad job’, says Met Police chief

Partygate: Police announce two investigations – but new Boris Johnson allegations not among them

Sex, Lies and Police spies: The Met’s undercover police scandal 

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

A sixth suspect was named in the case for the first time last month, with details coming to light about the bungled handling of the evidence against him.

Two witnesses said a man called Matthew White had confessed to being present during the attack. He died in August 2021.

Related posts:

‘A devastating loss’: Tributes ahead of vigil for flower seller stabbed to death outside his stall Man handed suspended sentence for assaulting Professor Chris Whitty Dina Asher-Smith fails to make Olympic 100m final but teammate Daryll Neita through Tory MP and ex-minister James Brokenshire announces lung cancer has ‘progressed’ CCTV released of suspect after man, 61, killed in Birmingham hit-and-run ‘Unless it’s mandated there’s no reason not to’: Pubs still going ahead with Christmas party bookings Man who murdered wife on wedding night and put body in suitcase jailed for at least 21 years ‘A miracle nobody hurt’: Mercedes driven for more than 20 miles down wrong side of a motorway Harry may have rowed back on his racism claim – but the damage is done to the Royal Family Attempted murder victim ran into takeaway for help after stabbing Gonorrhoea and syphilis diagnoses in England hit record levels Images show dangerous depths of Scotland’s lochs in bid to keep swimmers safe