Murdered teenager’s mother carries the flame in his memory

Doreen Lawrence said she was “quite emotional” as she carried the Olympic flame yesterday in memory of her murdered son Stephen.

Waiting crowds cheered and applauded as Mrs Lawrence broke in to a gentle jog.

She carried the flame in to the forecourt of the learning and development centre in Deptford, south-east London, named after the black youngster who was killed in an unprovoked race attack.

Mrs Lawrence, 59, said the Olympic flame symbolised many things in common with the Stephen Lawrence Charity Trust, such as strength, unity and diversity.

She said: “It was amazing to be part of the relay this morning, quite an emotional experience to run in to the Stephen Lawrence Centre.”

Stephen Lawrence, 18, was killed by a gang of white youths as he waited at a bus stop in Eltham, south-east London in April 1993.