Stephen Lawrence parents offered freedom of Greenwich borough (From News Shopper)

Stephen Lawrence parents join Duke of Edinburgh on honour list

10:43am Friday 2nd March 2012 in Crime By Mark Chandler

THE parents of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence are set to receive Greenwich's highest civic honour.

Doreen and Neville Lawrence, who have battled for nearly 20 years to bring their son's killers to justice, will be awarded the Freedom of the Borough.

Councillors voted to give the pair the honour, following a recent Old Bailey trial which saw Gary Dobson and David Norris found guilty of the racist killing in January.

Along with the Lawrences, the Duke of Edinburgh will also be honoured for his work with the Cutty Sark Trust. He was originally honoured in 1947.

Also honoured are Eltham voluntary worker Judy Smith, Thamesmead youth worker George Reynolds and Father Michael Scanlon, parish priest at St Peter's, Woolwich.

They will be invited to special council meetings later this month.

Freedom of the borough conveys no material benefit, but is only given to those who have provided eminent service to Greenwich.