Claudia's dad demands answers on phone-hacking (From York Press)

Claudia's dad demands answers on phone-hacking

4:18pm Wednesday 6th July 2011 in Claudia Lawrence

THE father of missing York chef Claudia Lawrence has asked police if his or his daughter's mobile phone was hacked.

Peter Lawrence contacted North Yorkshire Police looking for reassurances that no voicemail messages on phones connected with the suspected murder investigation were intercepted.

The request comes as the Prime Minister backs calls for a public inquiry into "absolutely disgusting" phone hacking claims surrounding the News of the World.

Martin Dales, spokesman for Mr Lawrence, said: "It's not clear who has or hasn't been hacked.

"Peter asked if his phone, Claudia's or anybody's phone involved in the investigation was involved.

"It was for his own piece of mind as much as anything. He is still awaiting a response."

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "We have no reason to believe that Claudia's mobile phone was accessed in this way."

Miss Lawrence, a chef at the University of York, was 35 when she disappeared in March 2009.

Police are treating her case as suspected murder, but her father Peter, a solicitor originally from Darlington who now lives in Ryedale, North Yorkshire, is convinced she is still alive.