We should be looking to make sure that this does not happen to any other families

We should be looking to make sure that this does not happen to any other families."Also speaking at the hearing, Stephen's father, Neville Lawrence, said: "I'm pleased to see they have granted immunity to anyone who wants to come forward and give evidence. Perhaps now we might get to the bottom of what happened."Imran Khan, the family solicitor, added: "There's been a wall of silence around this particular murder, or that's what's claimed."I hope that immunity by this inquiry will change that. The family feels that now for the first time people perhaps may come forward and shed some light on what happened four years ago."The inquiry will not start until the beginning of February when an investigation by Kent Police into the Metropolitan Police's handling of the affair will be completed, along with a separate inquiry by the Police Complaints Authority.. However, information or a confession obtained outside the hearing could be used in a prosecution.There is almost no chance now of a successful conviction against the five white youths who stabbed Stephen, 18, to death at a bus stop in Eltham, south-east London, in 1993, according to Chris Boothman, head of law at the Commission Racial Equality.An unsuccessful private prosecution was brought against five white youths by the Lawrence family. The decision to give immunity has been authorised by the Attorney-General.

The offer of immunity for statements provided during the hearing and anonymity for some witnesses is aimed at encouraging more people to come forward to help break the apparent "wall of silence" surrounding the case.The inquiry, which was adjourned until next February so that police reports and further evidence can be collated, was ordered by Jack Straw, the Home Secretary, to examine the circumstances surrounding the killing and to consider what lessons can be learned for future investigations and prosecutions of racially motivated crimes.As with previous public inquiries, the evidence provided by witnesses cannot be used to bring criminal charges against them unless they are found to have lied. In some extreme cases witnesses may also be allowed to remain anonymous. The inquiry has been given powers to summon any person or obtain any documents. Refusal to appeal before the inquiry could lead to imprisonment.Sir William said: "I should stress that this inquiry does not involve litigation or claims made between parties. Nor will the inquiry be a trial or retrial of any person or persons."He added that the inquiry would be "inquisitorial" and involve some brief cross-examinations. An advertising campaign asking for witnesses to give evidence will be launched in the next few weeks.

This will alienate a lot of blacks and Asians from the Tories."But for Meena Chaudhury, a 20-year-old student, the appeal of the Tories for ethnic minorities is "immaterial". She said: "They must be bloody stupid to want to join a clapped out old party anyway. Let's face it, what we have is a bitter old man speaking at a fringe thing of a party that does not matter.". A long-awaited public inquiry into the race killing of black student Stephen Lawrence held its first sitting yesterday. Jason Bennetto, Crime Correspondent, was there to hear the terms of reference. Why should these people vote Conservative after this kind of a speech?"Selim Nasrudin Ali was thinking of joining the Tory party, but is now having doubts after hearing Lord Tebbit's views.

Evidence given at the public inquiry into the killing of Stephen Lawrence, 18, in 1993, including any testimonies by his killers, cannot be used in a criminal prosecution, the inquiry chairman announced yesterday. Sir William Macpherson of Cluy, who is heading the inquiry, disclosed at the preliminary hearing in Woolwich, south-east London, yesterday that as with other similar public investigations no evidence, either written or spoken, can be used against the witness in any criminal proceedings. The 47-year-old businessman from Walthamstow, north-east London, said: "I have felt the Conservatives are the natural party for business .. so I thought of joining Now I don't know .. He appears to be saying Muslims must give up their culture. There are around 40 seats in Parliament which could be decided by the ethnic minority vote, many of them Muslims. The Queen is, of course, absolutely right, immigrants have contributed a huge amount to this country ...