Claudia Lawrence’s father lobbies for families (From York Press)

Claudia Lawrence’s father lobbies for families

9:18am Wednesday 24th October 2012 in News

THE father of missing York chef Claudia Lawrence gathered the support of MPs as he campaigned in London for the need for the families of people who have disappeared to be given more rights.

Following his daughter’s disappearance in 2009, Peter Lawrence has led a campaign for new legislation to make it easier for those dealing with a missing person’s estate and to improve the support given to families when a loved one goes missing.

Mr Lawrence is lobbying for measures for institutions such as banks to take into account the unique circumstances faced by the missing person’s family and next of kin by allowing the families to take control of the practicalities such as bank accounts and insurances under the presumption of death.

He headed to the capital yesterday, where he gathered pledges of support from more than two dozen MPs across the country. He later addressed a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Runaway and Missing Children and Adults in Westminster.

Claudia, from Heworth, whose 38th birthday was last Monday, has not been seen since March 2009.