NINETEEN years on, Stephen Lawrence's father still hopes the knife used to murder his son will be found.

Neville Lawrence made the comments after he and Stephen's mother Doreen were awarded the freedom of Greenwich borough last night in honour of their long search for justice.

Stephen was murdered in Eltham in 1993 but it took until January this year for two of the racist gang - David Norris and Gary Dobson - to be convicted of the killing. The others remain unpunished.

Mr Lawrence, who marked his 70th birthday with the award, said afterwards: "Investigating the other people who did it is not going to be enough to put them in jail.

"We need to get the knife that was used to kill Stephen."

He said he was still hopeful Dobson could help with that, saying: "I'm hoping he'll start to think about the fact he's not the only one who is responsible."

Stephen's parents have also written to the Home Secretary asking for an inquiry into the murder to be reopened following fresh allegations of police corruption in the original investigation.

Leader of Greenwich Council Councillor Chris Roberts told the audience last week that racism in the area had grown at that time partly due to recession, unemployment and a lack of housing - while a BNP base in nearby Welling had exacerbated the problems.

He said: "The search and drive for justice from Doreen, Neville and their family has been truly remarkable."

Freedom of the borough

A PRIEST who went out on the night of last year's riots to calm down violent youths has also been honoured by the council.

Father Michael Scanlon, parish priest at St Peters, Woolwich, and who has been in the area for 18 years, was praised with helping to calm the troubles last August.

He is among numerous people given the freedom of the borough this week - Greenwich's highest civic honour - as a celebration of its royal status.

Among the other people awarded, though not able to make it to Woolwich, were the Prince of Edinburgh and Nelson Mandela - both previous recipients of the honour.

Community workers Judy Smith and George Reynolds were also recognised for their contribution to life in Greenwich over the years.