THE father of missing chef Claudia Lawrence has spoken of his “delight” as new laws to help the families of missing people cleared Parliament.

Peter Lawrence, 70, said the law change was a fitting tribute to his beloved daughter, who disappeared on her way to work at the University of York in 2009.

So-called Claudia’s Law, which will allow families of people missing for more than 90 days to deal with their affairs, received an unopposed third reading by peers on Thursday.

Mr Lawrence said: “I’m delighted - it’s wonderful. It’s been six years since we started trying to do this.”

The retired solicitor said he was astonished to discover there was no legal provision for families to intervene in cases like Claudia’s, who has been missing for more than eight years.

He said: “It’s just so important. It will take away so many of the worries you have.

“You are still dealing with the emotional impact of someone being missing without having to deal with this on top of it. “

The Guardianship (Missing Persons) Bill, which will now go forward for Royal Assent, started life as a private member’s bill from Thirsk and Malton’s Tory MP Kevin Hollinrake.

He admitted he had been nervous the Bill would not make it when Theresa May announced a snap general election,.

“The first thing I thought when Theresa May called the election was ‘Oh my God’,” he said. “To have it dubbed as Claudia’s Law, which everybody seems happy to do, is nice.”