Stephen Lawrence's brother 'would join probe' into undercover policing

The brother of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence has said he would agree to take part in a probe into police records following a damning report which found that officers spied on his family.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe plans to appoint an "independent multi-disciplinary team" to search the force's archives for any available evidence for a public inquiry into undercover policing.

It follows a report by barrister Mark Ellison QC, published this week, which found that an undercover officer passed on personal details concerning the Lawrence family, such as comments on the separation of Stephen's mother and father, Doreen and Neville.

Concerns were also raised in the review about Scotland Yard's record-keeping on its own investigations into police corruption, with key evidence the subject of mass shredding in 2003.

Stuart Lawrence said his inclusion on the panel appointed to search the Met's records would ensure the "job is done".

He told the BBC: "I reserve judgment until I hear who he's tried to employ to try to do this job and I wouldn't mind being part of the team myself to ensure the job is done.

"I'm a bit sceptical and reserved about apologies if that's all they are because they are just words.

"I want to see something done."

Aspiring architect Stephen was murdered at the age of 18 by racists in Eltham, south-east London, in April 1993 and it took nearly 20 years for two of the gang of up to six killers to be brought to justice.

His mother, Baroness Lawrence, has urged Sir Bernard to co-operate fully with the judicial inquiry ordered by Home Secretary Theresa May following the Ellison review's "devastating" revelations.

In a letter seen by the BBC, Sir Bernard is called upon to take "the relevant and appropriate action" against individuals identified in the Ellison review.