Alexander Paul, 18, from Crystal Palace, (pictured with Theresa May in 2014) who spoke of his struggle at being stopped and searched, died of a brain tumour in June
Theresa May has paid tribute to a young black man who made a barnstorming speech at the Tory Party conference three years ago, who has died aged just 21.
Alexander Paul, from Crystal Palace, was just 18 when he spoke of his struggle at being stopped and searched at the conference in Birmingham. He died of a brain tumour in June.
His first person story of the racial discrimination used in too many stop and searches fuelled Mrs May’s reform in defiance of police resistance.
He spoke of how he had been stopped and searched more than 20 times from the age of 13, despite having no criminal history.
He urged politicians to consider the ‘stigma’ being created around young black males and encouraged them to change their policy.
The Warwick University student had a fit in 2016 and was put in an induced coma for three days.
After further tests, doctors diagnosed him with stage four brain cancer.
Mr Paul spoke of how he had been stopped and searched more than 20 times from the age of 13, despite having no criminal history
Mr Paul urged politicians to consider the ‘stigma’ being created around young black males
He was treated with both chemotherapy and radiotherapy but gradually deteriorated and he later died.
Students at Warwick said he was known on campus for his passion about politics.
In her main address to Tory conference, the PM said: ‘Alexander Paul, a young man who came to this conference three years ago to tell his story.
‘The story of a young black boy growing up in modern Britain who without causing nay trouble – without doing anything wrong – found himself being stopped and searched by people in authority time and time and time again.
Mrs May was repeatedly given sympathetic standing ovations as she battled against her failing throat during her speech today
The Prime Minister admitted her election campaign had been too ‘presidential’ and she had to take responsibility
‘Alexander spoke so eloquently about his experience and how he came to mistrust those in positions of power as a result.
‘So inspired by his example, we took action.
‘We shook up the system, and the number of black people being stopped and searched has fallen by over two thirds.’
Praising the PM’s ‘compassion’, Mr Paul’s mother Joanna Brown told MailOnline: ‘I was touched that she mentioned Paul today, it was moving.
‘I was so grateful that she found time to mention my son, who she said, had inspired her. It shows that she has got time for people.’
Ms Brown, a lawyer, from south-east London, continued: ‘When she [Mrs May] found out that Alex was battling brain cancer she invited us for afternoon tea at Number 10.
‘She had just become PM and had so much going on, but she found the time to give us a meeting to find out how he was and how he was coping with his treatment.
‘She sent me a condolence letter when he passed away to say that she found him inspirational and she was touched by him.
‘It was a lovely gesture. It arrived the day after his funeral so we couldn’t read it out at the service. For me, it meant a lot.
Praising the PM’s ‘compassion’, Mr Paul’s mother Joanna Brown told MailOnline: ‘I was touched that she mentioned Paul today, it was moving’
‘So people say she’s an ice maiden, a bit wooden and scripted but it shows that behind the scenes, she does care and is there for people. I was touched by it and it shows she has compassion.’
She added: ‘I can see why Mrs May said Paul inspired her. Even after he was diagnosed and had chemotherapy and lost all of his hair, we always had hope that he would survive. He was young, fit, healthy and athletic. He gave us hope. He was very positive right up until the end.
‘I’m a really proud of him. He was only 21 he had a bright future ahead of him.’