Senior Tory Left Floundering Over Policy Launched On Anniversary Of Stephen Lawrence Murder
Nick Ferrari and Chris Philp on LBC this morning.A senior Tory was left floundering after the party launched a major new justice policy on the anniversary of Stephen Lawrence’s murder.Chris Philp insisted it “was unintentional” that the party was calling for police to stop recording “non-crime hate incidents” exactly 33 years after the teenager’s brutal killing.Police guidance on the recording of NCHIs was first published in 2005, following recommendations by the MacPherson inquiry into Stephen’s death.On LBC this morning, presenter Nick Ferrari asked shadow home secretary Philp: “You are aware that today is the anniversary of Stephen Lawrence’s murder?”When Philp said he was, Ferrari said: “Then why would you put the policy out today then?The Tory frontbencher replied: “Well it wasn’t done intentionally today.”He added: “We are preserving the origin of this, which is to protect people like Stephen Lawrence, but getting rid of all the nonsense that has developed in the 25 years since these NCHIs were introduced.”Ferrari then asked him: “So something that came from the inquiry into the murder of Stephen Lawrence, you suggest is scrapped on the anniversary of his murder?”But Philp insisted that was not “an accurate characterisation” of the Tory position.He said: “The recommendations in the MacPherson Report were that where there is extreme racism that is likely to lead to an actual crime, as in the Stephen Lawrence case, that the police should still take an interest in that.“We’re agreeing with preserving that recommendation from the MacPherson Report in 1999. We’re saying let’s keep that, that’s the right idea.”Ferrari than said: “But you didn’t know it was the anniversary of Stephen Lawrence’s death today until it came out, is that right?”Philp replied: “It was unintentional, but we are preserving the MacPherson recommendation.”'You didn't know it was the anniversary of his death today?''It was unintentional.'@NickFerrariLBC questions Chris Philp on the timing of the Conservatives' latest policy announcement. pic.twitter.com/Dta5Oh6RNm— LBC (@LBC) April 22, 2025Related...'Can I Suggest You Read A Newspaper?' Nick Ferrari Lays Into Minister In Painful Clash'How Embarrassing Is It?' Nick Ferrari Skewers Minister Over Devastating Growth PredictionNick Ferrari Laughs In Minister's Face Over 1 'Lamentable Failure' Of Devolution
