Father of missing chef Claudia Lawrence hits out over '˜lack of Government action'

The father of missing York chef Claudia Lawrence has criticised what he describes as a lack of action from the Government for the families of loved ones who disappear.
Peter Lawrence (second left), father of missing woman Claudia who disappeared 7 years ago, visits Parliament to put renewed pressure on the Government. PAPeter Lawrence (second left), father of missing woman Claudia who disappeared 7 years ago, visits Parliament to put renewed pressure on the Government. PA
Peter Lawrence (second left), father of missing woman Claudia who disappeared 7 years ago, visits Parliament to put renewed pressure on the Government. PA

Peter Lawrence, 69, said he wants relatives of adults missing for more than three months to have “guardianship” of legal and financial matters on their behalf.

Miss Lawrence disappeared on her way to work in York in March 2009 and there has been no trace of her since.

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Solicitor Mr Lawrence met with MPs in Westminster on Tuesday who have pledged their support to the proposals, which were recommended by the Government last year.

Around 2,500 people remain untraced more than a year after disappearing and in March 2015, following a consultation, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said it strongly supported the move.

But Mr Lawrence said he was still waiting for action and the issue was not a “top priority” for the department, adding that he wanted to “put a rocket up the MoJ, because they need it”.

“We, of course, are still very hopeful that Claudia is around and one day will be back with us, but whatever they decide, it isn’t going to bring Claudia back,” he said.

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“(I’m) extremely disappointed that the Bill hasn’t been brought forward and I don’t know what has happened to stop it - we need these laws.”

Jo Youle, chief executive at the charity Missing People, said families struggle with sorting out direct debits and mortgages, dealing with emotion “on top of barriers and brick walls”.

She told of one woman nearly losing her home as she could not provide the signature of her dead husband.

The issue is due to be debated next week and law firm Clifford Chance has also drafted a Bill, which Baroness Hamwee plans to submit as a private member’s Bill.

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Baroness Hamwee said: “It simply hadn’t crossed my mind that there were these practical problems ... here’s somebody who is a solicitor ... and if he can’t find the way through, there’s something very, very wrong.”