A BILL dubbed Claudia’s Law has been hit by Parliamentary delaying tactics and must now wait another month before it can be passed.

The Guardianship (Missing Persons) Bill will create a new legal status of guardian of the property and affairs of anyone missing for 90 days or more, allowing families and friends of missing people to manage their affairs.

However, it was delayed in the Commons when Christchurch Tory MP Christopher Chope objected in order to delay other bills to be debated after Claudia’s Law.

It was the same move that thwarted Redcar Labour MP Anna Turley’s bill to toughen up animal cruelty sentences.

The Guardianship bill had been introduced by Thirsk and Malton Tory MP Kevin Hollinrake with the support of Peter Lawrence, whose daughter Claudia went missing in York in 2009.

Mr Hollinrake said he was disappointed about the delay but was confident it would become law on March 24 – the last day it can be passed in this session

He said: “It’s a bit frustrating, to be honest. A bit of a setback, but it’s not a fatal blow. We will be back. Unfortunately, the member did object, but not because of the bill per se. I’ve spoken to him and he said he did support the bill.”

However Peter Lawrence was said to be “very upset” by the delay.

His spokesman Martin Dales said: “It is disgraceful that certain MPs seem to enjoy spending Fridays talking-out positive legislation without realising the knock-on effects on the public.

“This is the case with the Guardianship Bill which is supported by the Government and across the political parties and which is intended to help the thousands of families who find themselves unable to deal with the financial affairs of a missing loved one.”