Claudia Lawrence: Father Hits Out At Liars

The father of missing chef Claudia Lawrence has said it is "dreadful" that people may have been lying to police investigating her disappearance almost six years ago.

Officers have been carrying out a detailed search of an alleyway at the rear of Miss Lawrence's terraced home in York, and Detective Superintendent Dai Malyn, who is leading the inquiry, has said he was sure people have lied to his officers.

Peter Lawrence commented: "I heard that and it's obviously absolutely dreadful that anyone would do that.

"We know that people lie to the police but in a case like this that involves Claudia's disappearance and everyone can see what it's done to the family... come on."

Miss Lawrence was 35 when she went missing and her family are preparing to mark what would have been her 41st birthday on Friday.

She was last seen on Wednesday 18 March 2009 and was reported missing by her father two days later after she failed to turn up for work at York University.

North Yorkshire Police began reviewing the case in 2013 and have since carried out a number of searches, including a detailed re-examination of Miss Lawrence's house in the Heworth area of the city.

On Wednesday the alley behind the house was cordoned off as specialist officers conducted a fingertip search. An officer with a dog was also involved in the operation.

Mr Malyn, who is head of the force's major crime unit, said: "We still don't know if Claudia left for work on the morning of Thursday March 19 or whether something happened overnight within her house.

"If the latter is the case, the person or persons responsible, in my view, would have used the rear alleyway as the front door leads on to a busy main road. This is why this specific piece of information needs to be fully investigated."

Officers have also been conducting house-to-house inquiries in the area and speaking to people who have since moved away, as well as checking all possible CCTV image have been obtained.

Last year a 60-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of killing Miss Lawrence but was later released without charge.

A 47-year-old man remains on bail on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.