Four retired detectives who ran the first Stephen Lawrence murder investigation should not face criminal charges for their actions in the case, a review has concluded.

The BBC has been told the review, by a senior CPS lawyer, upholds a previous decision not to prosecute, which was challenged by Stephen’s parents and friend.

It found there was insufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and therefore none of the four will be charged.

Stephen was murdered in April 1993 in a racist attack in south London.

The initial investigation failed to bring anyone to justice – although two men were jailed in 2012 for Stephen’s murder.

The officers had been investigated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), but last year the CPS chose not to pursue a criminal prosecution after considering a file of evidence.

A victim’s right to review the charging decision was triggered by Stephen’s parents, Dr Neville Lawrence and Baroness Doreen Lawrence, and his friend Duwayne Brooks, who was present during the attack.