Sadiq Khan says inequality must be “rooted out” from public institutions, 20 years on from a report which found the Metropolitan Police to be institutionally racist.

The Macpherson Report investigated the police’s handling of the murder of Stephen Lawrence in 1993.

Mr Lawrence was murdered in Greenwich in a racist attack and his parents Doreen and Neville Lawrence claimed the Metropolitan Police investigation was not conducted in a professional manner, citing incompetence and racism as prime flaws.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said progress had been made since the publication of the report but there is still work to be done in the police and across society to tackle inequality and racism.

Mr Khan said: “It was a landmark moment in the history of race relations in our country. It had a transformative effect on policing and how we view and tackle discrimination and prejudice across society.

“We need to continue to root out racism, discrimination and inequality from our public institutions and from our society, and we still have much more to do to build trust, confidence and understanding between the police and London’s diverse communities.”

Mr Khan says he is working with the Metropolitan Police to ensure it takes “zero-tolerance” approach to racism and discrimination.

He also paid tribute to Doreen Lawrence, Stephen’s mother, who campaigned for the inquiry, adding: “It was through their courage and strength that the Macpherson Report made recommendations that changed our country’s landscape forever.

“On this important anniversary, we must redouble our efforts to root out the racism, discrimination and inequality that still exist in our city.”