This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-35706700

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Stephen Lawrence officer had 'case to answer' over undercover meeting Stephen Lawrence officer had 'case to answer' over undercover meeting
(about 1 hour later)
An ex-Met Police commander would have to answer a case for misconduct after meeting an undercover police officer during the Stephen Lawrence inquiry, the police watchdog has said.An ex-Met Police commander would have to answer a case for misconduct after meeting an undercover police officer during the Stephen Lawrence inquiry, the police watchdog has said.
Richard Walton met the officer in 1998, allegedly obtaining information about the family and their supporters.Richard Walton met the officer in 1998, allegedly obtaining information about the family and their supporters.
The watchdog said he would have faced a disciplinary hearing but had retired.The watchdog said he would have faced a disciplinary hearing but had retired.
In January lawyers for Stephen's father Neville unsuccessfully urged the force to halt Cdr Walton's retirement.In January lawyers for Stephen's father Neville unsuccessfully urged the force to halt Cdr Walton's retirement.
More on this story and other news from LondonMore on this story and other news from London
Mr Walton was temporarily moved from his job leading the counter-terrorism command in 2014, following the publication of the report by Mark Ellison QC into possible corruption and undercover policing linked to the Stephen Lawrence investigation.Mr Walton was temporarily moved from his job leading the counter-terrorism command in 2014, following the publication of the report by Mark Ellison QC into possible corruption and undercover policing linked to the Stephen Lawrence investigation.
Stephen was 18 when he was stabbed to death in April 1993 by a gang of white youths in Eltham, south-east London.Stephen was 18 when he was stabbed to death in April 1993 by a gang of white youths in Eltham, south-east London.
'Very serious public concern'
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) examined allegations that Mr Walton, then an acting detective inspector, met an undercover officer known as N81.The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) examined allegations that Mr Walton, then an acting detective inspector, met an undercover officer known as N81.
'Very serious public concern'
He allegedly "obtained information pertaining to the Lawrence family and their supporters, potentially undermining the inquiry and public confidence".He allegedly "obtained information pertaining to the Lawrence family and their supporters, potentially undermining the inquiry and public confidence".
The IPCC said if the fact that the senior Met officer met the undercover officer had become public at the time, it "might well have caused very serious public concern".The IPCC said if the fact that the senior Met officer met the undercover officer had become public at the time, it "might well have caused very serious public concern".
The IPCC also looked into the role played by former Det Insp Robert Lambert, former Commander Colin Black and two other officers in arranging that meeting and found only Mr Lambert had potentially "played a part" and would have faced disciplinary proceedings if he too had not retired. The commission also looked into the role played by former Det Insp Robert Lambert, former Commander Colin Black and two other officers in arranging that meeting.
It found only Mr Lambert had potentially "played a part" and would have faced disciplinary proceedings if he too had not retired.
The other former officers, including former Commander Colin Black were found to have no case to answer.The other former officers, including former Commander Colin Black were found to have no case to answer.
IPCC Deputy Chair Sarah Green said: "The force's reputation may have suffered immense damage had the meeting become public knowledge at the time.IPCC Deputy Chair Sarah Green said: "The force's reputation may have suffered immense damage had the meeting become public knowledge at the time.
"The IPCC found that Robert Lambert and Richard Walton both had a case to answer for discreditable conduct in that their actions could have brought the force into disrepute."The IPCC found that Robert Lambert and Richard Walton both had a case to answer for discreditable conduct in that their actions could have brought the force into disrepute.
"As neither of the men are now serving police officers, it is not possible for misconduct proceedings to take place to determine whether or not the case would be proven.""As neither of the men are now serving police officers, it is not possible for misconduct proceedings to take place to determine whether or not the case would be proven."
In a statement Neville Lawrence said the report "makes it clear that my family were wrongly spied upon" but spoke of his frustration that Richard Walton would avoid any disciplinary action.
"The police and the IPCC should have ensured that this investigation was concluded in good time to ensure that former Commander Walton could not have avoided disciplinary proceedings", he said.
In 2012, Gary Dobson and David Norris were found guilty of murdering Stephen and jailed for minimum terms of 15 years and two months and 14 years and three months respectively.In 2012, Gary Dobson and David Norris were found guilty of murdering Stephen and jailed for minimum terms of 15 years and two months and 14 years and three months respectively.