Mother of murdered teenager Anthony Walker to be made an MBE for anti-racism charity work
The mother of a teenager murdered in a racist attack has paid tribute to the supportive people of Liverpool as she was made an MBE for her fight against prejudice.
Dr Gee Walker has devoted her life to tackling racism and called for greater public support for the work of the foundation, named in honour of her son Anthony Walker, that is tackling the “evil that racism brings”.
She was made an MBE by the Princess Royal during a Buckingham Palace investiture ceremony for services to diversity and racial injustice.
Dr Walker’s 18-year-old son was killed in Merseyside in 2005 by racist cousins Paul Taylor and Michael Barton, the brother of former Premiership footballer Joey Barton.
The crime prompted widespread condemnation at the time and in its aftermath the Anthony Walker Foundation was founded by his family to tackle racism, hate crime and discrimination by providing educational opportunities, victim support services.
She added: “I honour the people who work behind the scenes tirelessly – my children who are here with me – because they are part of the journey and I could not have done it without them.“And the people of Liverpool, I must honour them because they stood with me, and this is also for them. They continually supported us in every way, shape and form – so, Liverpool, I salute you.”
Speaking on New Year's Eve, Gee Walker said she was "honoured" to accept an MBE from but feels "bittersweet".
She said: "I understand the word bittersweet now because that's exactly what it is because the sweetness is that we have got the award and the bitterness is that it should be him.
"But I'm accepting it on his behalf and that takes the edge of the bitterness of it and I'm so honoured to accept it in his name."
Dr Walker forgave her son's killers, Michael Barton and Paul Taylor, who were sentenced to life in prison for the brutal murder of Anthony in December 2005.
In was revealed in September 2022 that Barton could soon be released from jail under licence.
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