THE father of missing chef Claudia Lawrence has returned to parliament to continue his fight for new legislation.

Peter Lawrence has been campaigning with the Missing People charity for the introduction of Claudia’s Law – new guardianship legislation which would help families take control of loved ones’ financial and legal affairs in their absence.

Last week, Mr Lawrence travelled to Westminster to continue to press his case with York Outer MP Julian Sturdy.

Mr Lawrence, along with staff from the charity and other families with missing loved ones, met with MPs and Peers at the Houses of Parliament.

Also present were representatives from the British Bankers’ Association and the Council of Mortgage Lenders, who have joined the calls for legislation that allow families to take on guardianship of missing people’s affairs.

Mr Lawrence said it was clear they had cross-party support for new legislation.

“We were supported by MPs and Peers of all parties, including the SNP, who haven’t met with us before, and members of the new shadow justice team, which shows we have cross-party support.”

The Government announced it intended to press forward with the legislation 18 months ago. A debate took place in the House of Commons in support of new legislation in March this year, but any new law has yet to be passed through parliament.

The debate in March had been secured by Mr Sturdy and took place a week after the seventh anniversary of the York chef’s disappearance.

It was supported by a number of MPs representing constituents affected by their lack of ability to oversee missing loved ones’ affairs.

They included MPs Rachel Maskell and Kevin Hollinrake, who supported the debate on behalf of Claudia and her parents.

Claudia’s mother, Joan Lawrence, lives in Norton and is the former mayor of Malton.

Last Tuesday's visit was to ensure politicians now serving under new Prime Minister Theresa May were reminded of the urgency.

Mr Lawrence said: “With the changes to the ministerial teams following Mrs May becoming Prime Minister, it is a good time to remind the justice department that the Government has consulted on the bill and it is now high time legislation was brought forward to help the thousands of families who find themselves in the predicament of having someone missing but not being able to do anything about their business affairs.”

He added that there was no opposition to introducing the guardianship legislation and it was unlikely to take up much parliamentary time to get the legislation passed.

“It’s not going to take long to go through debates in either house because nobody is going to object,” he said. “It’s just getting the Government to make it a priority.”

Claudia went missing from her home in the Heworth area of York more than seven years ago, on March 18, 2009, aged 35.

She was last seen nearing her home after finishing work as a cook at the University of York.