Duwayne Brooks
 | A major contributor to this article appears to have a close connection with its subject. (April 2018) |
Duwayne Brooks | |
|---|---|
| Lewisham Councillor, Downham Ward | |
| In office February 2009 – May 2014 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 27, 1974 Lewisham |
| Political party | Liberal Democrats (until c2017) Independent (2017-2018) Conservatives (2018-present) |
| Alma mater | Woolwich College, Lewisham College |
| Occupation | none currently known |
Duwayne Lloyd Anthony Brooks OBE (born 27 September 1974) is a former councillor in the London Borough of Lewisham. He was a friend of Stephen Lawrence and was with him when he was murdered.[1]
Early life
Brooks was born on 27 September 1974 in Lewisham, London, to Jamaican parents. He grew up in Deptford and attended Blackheath Bluecoat Church of England School in Charlton. In 1991 he went to study engineering at Woolwich College and at Lewisham College a year later.[2]
Murder of Stephen Lawrence
Brooks was with Stephen Lawrence when he was murdered on 22 April 1993. The murder led to an inquiry headed by Sir William Macpherson which concluded that the Metropolitan Police Force was "institutionally racist".
Brooks was arrested after allegations that he was involved in an incident during an anti-racist march outside the British National Party headquarters in Welling days after the murder.[3] Although Brooks was charged, the judge dismissed the case against him.[4] It was later revealed[5] that the Special Demonstration Squad had been set to discover any incriminating details about members of the Justice for Stephen Lawrence campaign. These included his parents and friends. The allegations against Brooks subsequently appeared.
Political career
In February 2009, Brooks became a Councillor for the Liberal Democrats in the London Borough of Lewisham following a by-election in the Downham Ward.[6][7] Later that year, he was elected onto the Safer Communities Board at the Local Government Group as Lead Member for the Liberal Democrats.[8]
He was re-elected for the Downham Ward in May 2010[9] and also appointed as "Community Cohesion and PREVENT Champion" at the Local Government Group months later.[8]
In autumn 2010, Brooks was named among the potential candidates[10] for the London mayoral election, 2012[11] but was never shortlisted. He was part of the team around the eventual Liberal Democrat Mayoral candidate, Brian Paddick, said to be as a proposed Deputy for Youth and Communities.[12]
Brooks stood unsuccessfully for Mayor of Lewisham, as a Liberal Democrat candidate in 2014,[13] and as an Independent in 2018.[14][15][16]
Brooks was awarded the Order of the British Empire in 2015 for public and political service.[17]
Brooks joined the Conservative Party in May 2018.[18]
References
- ^ Adams, Tim (6 April 2003). "I just want to be free of Steve". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 6 January 2011.
- ^ Brooks, Brooks, Steve and Me: My friendship with Stephen Lawrence, BrooksBooks, 2006
- ^ Wright, Stephen (4 January 2012). "Two men convicted of notorious UK race murder in landmark conviction after 18 years". The Daily Mail.
- ^ Symonds, Tom (24 June 2013). "Police 'spied on' Stephen Lawrence family, says Guardian newspaper". BBC News. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
- ^ "Stephen Lawrence family 'targeted in police smear campaign'". 4 News. 24 June 2013.
- ^ Bannerman, Lucy (17 February 2009). "Duwayne Brooks, friend of Stephen Lawrence, goes into politics". The Times. Retrieved 6 January 2011.
- ^ "Downham Ward by-election results 19 February 2009". Lewisham.gov.uk. 2009-02-19. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
- ^ a b "LGA Safer and Stronger Communities Board Member Profile". Lga.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Downham Ward Election results 6 May 2010". Lewisham.gov.uk. 2010-05-06. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
- ^ "Stephen Lawrence friend may run for mayor of London", BBC News, London, 21 September 2010. Retrieved on 04-01-2011.
- ^ "Lib-Dem failure to find candidate puts party out of mayoral race for year". Thisislondon.co.uk. Archived from the original on 3 January 2011. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "We need to get behind Brian Paddick and our London candidates now", by Chris Rennard, London Liberal Democrats election communication, 13 April 2012
- ^ "The Men Who Would Be Mayor of Lewisham". 2013-12-17. Archived from the original on 2014-01-12. Retrieved 2014-02-03.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Palmer, Jim (21 December 2017). "Stephen Lawrence pal Duwayne Brooks launches Lewisham mayor bid". News Shopper. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
- ^ Porter, Toby (28 December 2017). "Stephen Lawrence friend is standing for borough mayor". South London News. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
- ^ London Borough of Lewisham, Web team. "London Borough of Lewisham". Retrieved 2018-05-08.
{{cite web}}:|archive-url=requires|archive-date=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ "Friend who witnessed murder of Stephen Lawrence is awarded OBE". Mail Online. 12 June 2015.
- ^ Cole, Harry (2018-05-16). "Stephen Lawrence pal joins the Tories and is tipped as future Mayor of London after furious blast at Sadiq Khan". The Sun. Retrieved 2018-05-16.