Parents of murdered black teenager get OBEs for fight against racism

DOREEN and Neville Lawrence’s battle for justice for their murdered son Stephen has made them icons in the fight against racism, a friend and supporter said yesterday as they received OBEs in Britain’s New Year’s Honours list.

Campaigners praised the awards as recognition of the Lawrences' achievements over the last nine years years which have seen them tackle an attempted private prosecution and press for a wide-ranging public inquiry which resulted in findings of "institutional racism" within Britain's biggest police force.

Baroness Howells, a race equality campaigner who has supported the family since the 1993 tragedy, said the divorced couple had become "icons". "Mrs Lawrence would accept this award on behalf of the community", she said.