Detective'sfrustration with Claudia ex-lovers

THE detective leading the search for Claudia Lawrence has revealed his continued frustration over her ex-lovers’ failure to co-operate after the murder inquiry switched to Ireland.

Officers involved in the North Yorkshire Police investigation have pursued a lead which traced one of Miss Lawrence’s previous partners to Ireland.

While the man, who has not been identified, has been eliminated from the inquiry, he had initially denied having a relationship with the missing York University chef.

He only admitted to having the relationship with Miss Lawrence in 2008 when he was personally spoken to by officers from the investigation team.

Detective Superintendent Ray Galloway, who is leading the murder inquiry, said: “This has been an all too frequent theme of the investigation, where people have denied either knowing or being in a relationship with Claudia, until presented with overwhelming evidence.

“This does nothing but delay the completion of the profile being compiled in relation to Claudia’s life. I appeal to any persons who have known Claudia to come forward. I won’t be satisfied until I know Claudia’s complete life.”

Det Supt Galloway has said before that many of Miss Lawrence’s ex-lovers, some of whom are married, had been reticent about divulging details when interviewed by police.

The investigation has followed up leads as far away as Cyprus, where Miss Lawrence regularly went on holiday, but inquiries are still focused on North Yorkshire.

Miss Lawrence was last seen walking near her home in Heworth Road in York on March 18 last year, and detectives upgraded the missing person inquiry to a murder investigation the following month.

The inquiry team has been focusing on her complex personal life and her relationships with married men.