CLAUDIA's Law moved a step nearer becoming law today as the bill passed the next stage in the House of Lords.

The Guardianship (Missing Persons) Bill had its Second Reading in Lords introduced by Baroness Hamwee with support from many peers including the Shadow Attorney General Baroness Chakrabarti and Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate.

Peter Lawrence, whose daughter Claudia Lawrence has been missing from York for more than eight years, watched from the gallery of the Lords.

Lord Kirkhope - the Conservative MEP Timothy Kirkhope - said: "I have long supported legislation on this matter and living in North Yorkshire have been deeply moved by the work of Peter Lawrence, Missing People and others in championing both the Presumption of Death Act in 2013 and now this Guardianship Bill."

The Bill came from the House of Commons where it was introduced by Thirsk and Malton MP Kevin Hollinrake.

Peter Lawrence added: "I am pleased that the Guardianship Bill is now progressing through its stages in the Lords with Government support. I look forward very much to it receiving Royal Assent and swiftly being enacted as it will make so much difference to so many families."

The law is designed to create a new legal status of guardian of the property and affairs of anyone who goes missing for more than 90 days, meaning the families of missing people to manage their loved ones’ affairs.