Kelso and Stephen

by

Ryan Clement

Tragically, 65 years ago, on 17 May 1959 Mr Kelso Cochrane, an Antiguan living in Notting Hill, was fatally stabbed. Despite the obvious concerns by some sectors there still appeared to exist at the time a degree of caution amongst politicians as to whether legislation prohibiting racial discrimination would be effective. I remind you that the first Race Relations Act was in 1965.

On 4 June 1959, Mr Fisher MP asked, “whether, in view of the recent murder of a West Indian in the streets of Notting Hill and of attacks upon the property of [black] residents in that area, he will issue a public statement deploring such manifestations of colour prejudice and violence…”

The Secretary of State for the Home Department and Lord Privy Seal (Mr R.A. Butler) stated, “Racial discrimination has no place in our law and responsible opinion everywhere will unhesitatingly condemn any attempt to forment it.”

The tragic death of Mr Cochrane in 1959 was reported and led only to a few questions being raised in Parliament.  Thirty-four years later the tragic death of Stephen Lawrence led not only to mass public outcry but on 31 July 1997 to the commissioning of a report headed by Sir William Macpherson of Cluny. The Macpherson Inquiry looked into matters arising from the death of Stephen, in order particularly to identify the lessons to be learned for the investigation and prosecution of racially motivated crimes.

Some were surprised when the then Home Secretary, Mr Jack Straw, indicated that he would adopt Recommendation 11 in its entirety, covering not only the police, but also other public authorities such as the civil service and the immigration service.

On 15 February 1999 the Macpherson report was delivered to the Home Secretary, among other things, making 70 recommendations to the Government.  Recommendation 11 stated that: ‘That the full force of the Race Relations legislation should apply to all police officers, and that Chief Officers of Police should be made vicariously liable for the acts and omissions of their officers relevant to that legislation.’

YESTERYEAR, Kelso’s death led to a public outcry. LATER, Stephen’s death led to both a public outcry and a change in the law. TODAY is Stephen Lawrence Day, which “is an opportunity for people, communities, and organisations to come together and honour Stephen’s life and legacy, stand up against discrimination in our daily lives, and work towards a more hopeful tomorrow. Through reflection, learning, and action, we can inspire change and create a better future for the next generation.”

TOMORROW, who knows? The Celebration of the day in which it is UNIVERSALLY accepted that NO ONE is judged by or treated according to the colour of their skin, but SOLELY by or due to the content of their character? I dream!

Picture – Kelso Cochrane, c. 1959 (Courtesy of Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation

I have a dream by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Ryan Clement, LLM, BA, BSc, barrister

https://www.youtube.com/@RyanClement1

Copyright © Ryan Clement 2024