Stephen Lawrence: Police Watchdog to Investigate Misconduct Claims During Murder Inquiry

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is to investigate allegations of "discreditable conduct" involving Met Police officers during the 1998 Stephen Lawrence murder inquiry.

The police watchdog said it will investigate claims of breaches of honesty and integrity involving cmdr Richard Walton and two other former officers.

Walton, then an acting detective inspector, is accused of meeting with an undercover officer and obtaining information regarding the Lawrence family and their supporters which had the potential to "undermine the Inquiry and public confidence".

The IPCC will also investigate the conduct of two former MPS officers, then det insp Robert Lambert and cmdr Colin Black, who are both accused of playing a part in organising the alleged meeting with the undercover officer.

The allegations arise following the publication of the Stephen Lawrence Independent Review report by Mark Ellison QC, which looked into alleged police corruption in the original inquiry into the murder of the teenager.

IPCC deputy chair, Sarah Green said: "Mark Ellison's review highlighted a number of extremely serious matters which strike at the heart of public confidence in the police.

"Following the review, I asked the MPS to consider whether the conduct of any officers or former officers should be recorded and referred to the IPCC.

"Having now received referrals in relation to all three of the above officers, and in view of the seriousness of the matter and the significant public interest, I have determined the IPCC should conduct an independent investigation. I have notified Mr Lawrence and Baroness Lawrence of this decision."

A Met Police spokesman said: "Following the publication of the Ellison Report on 7 March the MPS moved Commander Richard Walton temporarily from his post as Head of the Counter Terrorism Command to a non operational role. This matter was then voluntarily referred to the IPCC.

"In relation to the same matter in May the MPS referred two retired officers, then a Detective Inspector and a Commander, to the IPCC.

"As this is an independent investigation it would be inappropriate for us to comment further."

Lawrence was 18 when he was stabbed to death by a racist gang in south east London in 1993. Gary Dobson and David Norris were convicted of his murder in January 2012.