THE father of missing York woman Claudia Lawrence has welcomed Government support for changes to guardianship laws.

Peter Lawrence, whose daughter went missing in March 2009, has campaigned with the charity Missing People to make it easier for families with missing relatives to deal with their financial affairs, and legislation was agreed in 2015 but has still not been passed into law.

The proposals, which will give families greater control over the affairs of missing people, cleared their first Commons hurdle after MP for Thirsk and Malton Kevin Hollinrake raised the issue as a Ten Minute Rule bill on Wednesday.

He told the House of Commons: “When a person disappears with no explanation, their friends and family are left with an unbelievable amount to cope with - with all those unanswered questions and difficult emotions. These desperate situations are worsened by the need to pick up the pieces of their lives - paying the mortgage, the rent, the car loan, the insurances."

“Data protection and financial services contract law currently prevents even the closest relative from dealing with their finances.

As Mr Lawrence told me, banks, insurance companies, mortgage lenders all say we can’t accept your instructions, you’re not our customer. He went on to say: ‘You’re at your lowest ebb and you have to fight all these problems, it’s terribly distressing’.”

Under the proposed changes, the person would have to be missing for at least 90 days before the guardian could take control of their affairs and have authority to act on behalf of them for up to four years, which could be renewed by a further court application.

The guardian would be required to “act in the best interests” of the missing person, and MPs previously unanimously backed the introduction of the Guardianship (Missing Persons) Bill - also known as “Claudia’s Law” - to the Commons.

York Press:

Mr Hollinrake said: “All I ask Mr Speaker, respectfully, is for the support of all honourable members to guarantee its passage through the House and into legislation.”

The Bill will have to clear a number of legislative stages before it can become law, but a date was set for a second reading on February 3.

Mr Lawrence said: “Susannah Drury, Missing People’s policy director, was here as well, and obviously was also pleased, as the charity has 2,500 families on its books in need of the legislation.”

“I’m very satisfied with how today has gone. I think Kevin Hollinrake knew he had Government support at last, it’s just a pity it has taken 22 months since the Government committed to this and still a private member had to bring it forward, but we’re on the way.”