A new suspect in the murder of Stephen Lawrence was first named on Monday.
The Metropolitan Police say Matthew White came to the attention of the force as a witness in 1993, the year Mr Lawrence, 18, was fatally stabbed in a racist attack near a bus stop. bus in Eltham, South East London.
He was arrested and questioned in March 2000 and December 2013 and a case was submitted to prosecutors in May 2005 and October 2014.
White, who died in 2021 aged 50, was named by police on Monday following a BBC investigation which found officers had mishandled key inquiries into him.
The BBC said it had gathered evidence against White after reviewing the case after 30 years, which included seeking witnesses and reviewing police documents.
He said his findings raise questions about Scotland Yard’s decision in 2020 to stop investigating the case and implicate other suspects who remain free.
Five men were named as suspects after the murder, but the public inquiry said there were “five or six” assailants.
David Norris and Gary Dobson received life sentences in 2012, while the other three – Luke Knight and brothers Neil and Jamie Acourt – were not convicted of the crime.
Duwayne Brooks, a friend of Stephen Lawrence who was with him the night he was murdered, always said there were six attackers.
Originally known as Witness K, White was first publicly named at the trial of David Norris and Gary Dobson in 2011, but only as a witness.
But the BBC has uncovered evidence White told witnesses he was present during the attack, provided a false alibi to police, while police surveillance photographs showed he looked like eyewitness accounts of an unidentified blonde mugger.
Responding to the BBC inquiry, the Met said: “Although two men were convicted of Stephen’s murder in 2012, we know that other suspects have not yet been brought to justice.
“Matthew White first came to our attention as a witness in 1993. He was arrested and questioned in March 2000 and December 2013 and a case was submitted to prosecutors in May 2005 and October 2014.
“On both occasions the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) advised that there was no realistic prospect of White being convicted of any offence.”
Assistant Deputy Commissioner Matt Ward added: “The impact of the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence and the ensuing investigations continues to be felt across the police service.
“Unfortunately, too many mistakes were made during the initial investigation and their impact continues to be visible.
“On the 30th anniversary of Stephen’s murder, Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley apologized for our failings and I repeat that apology today.”
Mr Lawrence’s father, Neville, said any further investigation following the BBC inquiry would have to be carried out by another force. “They need to be able to find a decent police force that could investigate,” he told the BBC.
Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then get a year for just $9 with our exclusive US offer.