Doreen Lawrence to become Labour peer

Doreen Lawrence – the campaigner and mother of Stephen Lawrence – looks set to be confirmed as a Labour peer later this week. The Labour Party won’t officially confirm her appointment (as the Palace must formally announce all peerages) but privately it has been confirmed that Doreen will become Baroness Lawrence within a matter of days.

A source close to the Labour leader told me this afternoon:

“Doreen Lawrence is a hero of modern Britain. The strength and courage she has shown in her fight for justice for her son Stephen has had a profound impact on attitudes to racism and policing. Her campaigning has changed, and will continue to change, our country for the better. Ed Miliband believes voices like hers should always be heard in Parliament.”