Neville Lawrence, 83, has urged that one of his son Stephen’s killers reveal the other members of the gang behind the murder before any parole decision is made. The man due to appear before a parole board for the first time is David Norris, now 49, who received a life sentence with a minimum term of 14 years and three months in January 2012 after Stephen Lawrence was killed by a racist gang as he ran to catch a bus home. The murder occurred in Eltham, south-east London, and police believe up to six people were involved; Norris and Gary Dobson have since been brought to justice. The other suspects—Jamie and Neil Acourt and Luke Knight—were convicted of unrelated drug offences, while Matthew White died in 2021.

The parole hearing will be held in prison with a video link streamed to a courtroom at the Royal Courts of Justice. Norris will appear on camera, but only the back of his head will be visible. The hearing was authorised for public access after an application from media organisations, with Stephen’s family supporting the move. Neville Lawrence said, “the more people that can see the better”. A document outlining the decision stated Norris now accepts that he was present at the scene but claims he punched Stephen and did not stab him.

Mr Lawrence said it is important for him to hear Stephen’s killers named and to see them brought to justice. He told supporters that naming the others would demonstrate remorse: “It’s important for me because of what these people have done. They ruined my life. They’ve caused me not to be able to live in this country. They’ve robbed me of the chance of seeing my son getting married, of having (his) grandchildren. This man has robbed me of so much that there is no way I can even start to think that he should be allowed to walk free.” He added: “If I was on that parole board, he would have to do that before I even think of him coming out.” He also said: “He could name the rest of the people that were with him. He could name the person that actually stabbed Stephen and make a public apology to my family for killing my son.” Police believe Stephen was killed by a gang of up to six in Eltham; Norris and Dobson were convicted, with the other suspects previously identified as Jamie and Neil Acourt and Luke Knight, and Matthew White having died. The College of Policing is leading a review of the latest phase of the investigation after the convictions. Mr Lawrence has said he is frustrated by the pace of justice and has previously indicated he would consider forgiveness if remorse is shown.