The Metropolitan Police came under fire again yesterday after more details emerged about mass evidence-shredding linked to the Stephen Lawrence inquiry.

A "lorry load" of files was allegedly destroyed over two days in 2003.

The shredding was first unearthed by Mark Ellison QC in his review of the Lawrence murder investigation.

The files contained information from graft probe Operation Othona, which began in 1993 and included information on a allegedly corrupt detective working on the Lawrence case.

The investigation generated such a large amount of information that it is "highly unlikely" the shredding happened accidentally.

Mr Ellison's report said information from Othona had been withheld from the 1998 Macpherson inquiry into police handling of Mr Lawrence's murder.

The review found that "material evidence relating to the issue of corruption" could not be located by the Met.

"It is clear that there are significant areas where relevant Metropolitan Police records should exist but cannot be found."

Labour's London Assembly crime spokeswoman Joanne McCartney said: "These latest revelations are deeply worrying and may indicate that there was a concerted effort by Met Police officers to destroy evidence.

"Undercover operations, which are so intrusive, deserve the utmost levels of probity, authorisation and monitoring.

"It is incumbent on the police that they protect any information on such cases and are fully open to public scrutiny.

"We need to ensure that all information is released and that there is full disclosure from the Met.

"Any officers involved in this activity must be held to account, including any who may have retired."

Mr Ellison was also scathing of police action on the Lawrence case in later years. His report found that a 2012 review by the Met was "another example" of the force "providing misleading reassurance to the family and to the public."

The Met claimed it found "nothing new" - but it actually "held material of some potential importance."