Father Of Missing Katrice Lee Meets Defence Secretary

Katrice Lee.

The father of Katrice Lee, who disappeared from a Navy, Army and Air Force Institute (NAAFI) supermarket 37 years ago, has met with the Defence Secretary over the continued search of his daughter.

Katrice Lee disappeared from the Schloss Neuhaus NAAFI supermarket in Germany on the 28 November 1981 - her second birthday.

Her mother and aunt had gone to buy things for her party and thought Katrice was with the other - she has not been seen since.

The day after Katrice's disappearance, a child who looked like Katrice was spotted climbing into a green saloon car, close to a bridge on the outskirts of Paderborn. Police issued a photo-fit of the man thought to be the driver.

However, it was not until May this year that the area was searched following the reopening of the case in 2012. 

Around 100 military personnel helped excavate the riverbank over four weeks, however no clues were found. 

The Royal Military Police said bone fragments were found during the search, but that they are not believed to be from a child of Katrice Lee's age.

They continue to appeal for information about the man in the green car.

Katrice was born with an eye condition that would have required corrective surgery.

In May, Katrice's father, Richard, told Forces News that he believed "she was abducted since day one".

Today, Mr Lee met with Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson MP to discuss the case and the handling by the Royal Military Police (RMP).

Speaking to Forces News after the meeting, Mr Lee said: "I feel that my voice has been heard but nothing at this point of time by the Minister has been ruled out and that includes a public inquiry.

"What they (RMP) are saying is that their investigations are ongoing but as I have also pointed out to the Minister, the investigation has been ongoing for 37 years and enough is enough.

"I condensed a statement from 30 pages down to a page-and-a-half and tried to make it as coherent but as accurate as possible.

"I think I've achieved that aim and the Minister actually, I felt, was listening to me as a father...he took his Ministerial head off and I actually felt that I reached him."

Mr Lee accused the Ministry of Defence and the Royal Military Police press offices of having a "lack of communication" over whether the photo-fit of the man seen with a girl that looked similar to Katrice was "old" or "new" information. 

He added that the "information was available all the time". 

When asked about returning to Germany for the most recent search, Mr Lee described it as an "absolute nightmare". He said: "I've never believed she was there. 

"But I had to go through the motions, go through all the hoops that were put in front of me, and personally, I wanted to shake every guy's hand who was out there because they are doing a thankless task, that I did.

"The results came through that Katrice isn't there, but for me, I'm always trying to take a positive and that is Katrice is still out there."

An Ministry of Defence spokesperson told Forces News: “This is an extremely distressing case and our thoughts remain with the family of Katrice Lee.

 “The Army’s Family Liaison Officers have regular contact with members of the Lee family and the Defence Secretary met with Mr Lee today to discuss the investigation.

 “Given this is an ongoing investigation it would be inappropriate to comment further.“