 |
|
Solicitor Peter Lawrence, 64, wants
politicians to consider granting a guardian-style status to
rela |
THE father of missing chef
Claudia Lawrence will visit the Commons
this week to ask MPs and Lords to consider how to help families of
missing people.
Solicitor Peter Lawrence, 64, wants politicians to consider granting a
guardian-style status to relatives so they can sort out their loved
one's financial affairs.
Claudia vanished in York in March 2009 and today , which is Claudia's
37th birthday, a vigil will be held for her at York Minister, led by the
Archbishop of York
Dr John Sentamu. He will also ask
people to remember
Madeleine McCann and other missing
people.
Mr
Lawrence has had to deal with many financial problems on behalf of his
daughter.
Through his work with the charity Missing People he knows of the
problems faced by others in his situation.
On
Tuesday he will address the all-party parliamentary group for runaway
and missing children and adults .
Martin Dales, family friend and spokesman, said: 'Peter was very able to
deal with Claudia's affairs, although he found it upsetting, because he
is a solicitor but other families in this awful situation have all sorts
of problems and stresses. Peter believes members of both Houses need to
address the situation .
'One
of the main issues is what happens to a mortgage when a person goes
missing and who is responsible for it and the bills.
'Relatives who are emotionally drained and trying to deal with the
sudden disappearance of a loved one then have to untangle complex
financial issues, which can be daunting and worrying.
'Peter believes there should be a guardianship system to make life
easier .'
Peter is divorced from Claudia's mother Joan, who has spoken about how
she is comforted by
Kate McCann, whose daughter Madeleine
vanished from the Algarve resort of
Praia da Luz in Portugal in May 2007.
The
two mothers, who share the same nightmare, have forged a close bond and
hope to meet soon . |
