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David Cameron agrees to meet missing girl Katrice Lee's family Missing Katrice Lee's father dismisses 'wishy-washy' PM offer
(about 4 hours later)
David Cameron has said he will meet the family of missing girl Katrice Lee - but only after an investigation into her disappearance is completed. The father of missing girl Katrice Lee said he had no faith in David Cameron's "wishy-washy" promise to meet her family.
Katrice was two when she disappeared in 1981 from a supermarket at a British military base in Paderborn, Germany, where her father was stationed. Mr Cameron said he will meet them, but only after a fresh investigation into her disappearance has concluded.
Royal Military Police are carrying out a new investigation after the initial inquiry was deemed inadequate. Two-year-old Katrice vanished in 1981 from a supermarket at a British military base in Paderborn, Germany, where her father was stationed.
Mr Cameron has previously been criticised for not meeting the family. Royal Military Police are conducting a new inquiry into the 33-year-old case.
Katrice's father Sgt Maj Richard Lee, from Hartlepool, and mother Sharon Lee, from Gosport, have previously asked for a meeting with the prime minister to discuss their daughter's case. Katrice's father, Sgt Maj Richard Lee from Hartlepool, dismissed the prime minister's offer and claimed Mr Cameron should be using meetings with German Chancellor Angela Merkel to try and force a development.
Speaking to BBC Tees' Neil Green, Mr Cameron said: "If they want to meet me I'm always happy to meet with families; it may be better to meet after the investigation is completed. The prime minister told BBC Tees: "If they want to meet me I'm always happy to meet with families; it may be better to meet after the investigation is completed.
"After the investigation is completed and if it's the right thing to do, then I will be very happy to meet the family.""After the investigation is completed and if it's the right thing to do, then I will be very happy to meet the family."
Sgt Maj Lee said: "Actions speak louder than words and I hold very little faith with a very wishy-washy statement from the prime minister.
"If I met him now I would say to him 'Are all things being done that could be?'
"He has had every opportunity as a leader of state, for example using Angela Merkel's meetings, he could have asked her to look into this.
"Surely that would get more action."
Mr Cameron acknowledged the family had been let down by the initial investigation, which failed to determine what happened to Katrice.Mr Cameron acknowledged the family had been let down by the initial investigation, which failed to determine what happened to Katrice.
He said: "It is every parent's nightmare when you take an eye off a child for a second and suddenly they've disappeared.He said: "It is every parent's nightmare when you take an eye off a child for a second and suddenly they've disappeared.
"Every family has an experience of this and, tragically, some do end in them not being united, but I think the best thing is for this Royal Military Police investigation to conclude."Every family has an experience of this and, tragically, some do end in them not being united, but I think the best thing is for this Royal Military Police investigation to conclude.
"Obviously, (The Lee family) weren't properly served by the original investigation." "Obviously, [the family] weren't properly served by the original investigation."
The prime minister also said an independent civilian police force would be reviewing the Royal Military Police's investigation.The prime minister also said an independent civilian police force would be reviewing the Royal Military Police's investigation.
Katrice disappeared on her second birthday while her family were out shopping for party food. Sgt Maj Lee said he still believes his daughter is alive and will not give up trying to find out what happened to her.
Her mother left her at the checkout with her aunt for just a moment as she went to get crisps but when she returned the toddler had gone. He said: "I'm 65, my daughter has been away from my life for 33 years. It's an awful thing to be in but I'm forced to live with it and I'm constantly fighting.
"I shouldn't have to be constantly fighting bureaucrats. I won't stop until I get an answer.
"I believe she will be on a database somewhere, blood or DNA, I would ask Angela Merkel to look at those.
"I've always believed she is alive, that she was snatched, stolen, ordered and sold to a childless couple.
"We hear of situations where children are turning up 30 years later. I believe she is alive."
Katrice disappeared on her second birthday while her family were out shopping.
Her mother left her at the checkout with her aunt for just a moment but when she returned the toddler had gone.