By Stephen Wright PUBLISHED: 11:11 EST, 23 July 2013 | UPDATED: 11:16 EST, 23 July 2013 The senior Crown lawyer who played a pivotal role in the conviction of two of Stephen Lawrence’s killers was today named the country’s top prosecutor. Alison Saunders, 52, is to succeed human rights barrister Keir Starmer QC as Director of Public Prosecutions later this year. The married mother-of-two - currently chief prosecutor in London - has overseen some of the country’s highest profile murder cases during her 27 year career in the Crown Prosecution Service. New appointment: Alison Saunders, pictured left, will take over the position of Director of Public Prosecutions from Keir Starmer QC at the end of the year
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Mother-of-two Alison Saunders is currently the chief prosecutor in London
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She took the landmark decision to prosecute Gary Dobson and David Norris over the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence
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The 52-year-old will succeed human rights barrister Keir Starmer QC as Director of Public Prosecutions later this year
She has been an outstanding leader within the CPS and she will make a first rate @placeholder.’