A LAW named after missing York woman Claudia Lawrence has come a step closer to becoming a reality today.

Claudia’s Law was designed to create a new legal status of guardian of the property and affairs of anyone missing for more than 90 days, enabling families of missing people to manage their loved ones’ affairs.

It has now been passed by the House of Commons after a third reading and goes to the House of Lords on its way to becoming legislation.

Thirsk and Malton MP Kevin Hollinrake put forward the Bill to the House of Commons, and it passed the committee stage in February.

York Press:

However, the first attempt to have its third reading - and pass it into legislation - was delayed when Christopher Chope, MP for Christchurch, objected to the bill to delay further issues.

Claudia’s father Peter Lawrence was in the House of Commons to hear the third reading, eight years to the week on from her disappearance, and on the final day of the Parliamentary session.

He said: “Thousands of families throughout the UK will benefit from the introduction of the Guardianship (Missing Persons) Bill and I hope that having today passed from the Commons to the Lords it will have a speedy passage there, attain Royal Assent and be enacted as soon as possible thereafter.”

Mr Hollinrake said the law was now one step closer to becoming law, and must now go to the House of Lords.

He said: “I am so pleased that this bill has been so well supported. I know it will make a huge difference to the families of loved ones who have gone missing.

“I am especially pleased for Mr and Mrs Lawrence whose daughter has been missing for eight years now, in using the term Claudia’s Law as a tribute to her I hope it acknowledges their valuable input to making this bill happen.

“I hope this will help make their lives a little easier and those of the thousands of other families who have missing relatives. I thank them all for their support and that of the charity, Missing People, who represent them so well.”

Mr Hollinrake also praised the work of fellow local MPs Nigel Adams and Julian Sturdy for their support on the bill, and said he was honoured to have been part of the process.

Justice Minister Sam Gyimah praised the work of Missing People and those behind the bill, and

The Bill will now go to the Lords and could receive Royal Assent before the end of this Parliament.