Luke Knight and Neil Acourt were charged with murder in May 1993 , but the charges were dropped in July because of insufficient evidence. Stephen's parents also launched a private prosecution, funded by donations in April 1996, but it collapsed.
In 1997 the Home Secretary Jack Straw, ordered a public inquiry into the Metropolitan Police Service's handling of the case. In 1999 The Macpherson inquiry found the Met to be "institutionally racist". A total of 70 recommendations for reform were made. These proposals included abolishing the double jeopardy rule and criminalising racist statements made in private. Macpherson also called for reform in the British Civil Service, local governments, the National Health Service, schools, and the judicial system, to address issues of institutional racism.
Yesterday Gary Dobson and David Norris were found guilty of murder. Today they have been sentenced to recommended minimum life terms of 15 and 14 years respectively for what the judge described as a "terrible and evil crime". The sentences would have been far longer but the crime had been committed before adulthood, requiring sentencing as juveniles.
The Mail has been celebrating its 1997 front page with Paul Dacre the editor, stating:
"It's a glorious day for British newspapers, proving that the power of journalism, courageous headlines and relentless campaigning can act as a huge force for good in society and make a major difference to countless lives.
Quite simply, I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that if it hadn't been for the Mail's headline in 1997 – "Murderers: The Mail accuses these men of killing" – and our years of campaigning, none of this would have happened."
What do you think?
