Claudia Lawrence neighbour says he had 'nothing to do' with her disappearance

A former neighbour who was quizzed by police about missing Claudia Lawrence has spoken out for the first time to say he had “nothing to do” with her disappearance.

Building boss Pete Ruane, 65, a close pal of Claudia’s, has been quizzed by police in the past. He was one four of her drinking mates from the 'Nag's Head', arrested on suspicion of murder. They were all released without charge.

He told journalist Tom McDermott on the ‘Answers for Claudia’ podcast he was “close” to Claudia and “misses her a great deal”.

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He told the 'Answers for Claudia' podcaster: “I had nothing to do with her disappearance. I was close to Claudia and I miss her great deal." He also said he would be happy to help Claudia's mum Joan Lawrence, if she "reached out" to him. and had known Claudia's dad for 20 years.

Claudia’s mum Joan Lawrence, 81, has said she is grateful new attention has been brought to the case because of the ‘Answers for Claudia’ podcast. She said she will "never, ever give up" fighting for answers: “I've got to keep going. The not knowing where she is, is the hardest.”

Journalist Tom McDermott made contact with Mr Ruane as he was immersed in Claudia’s friendship group, speaking to people in Malton and Heworth where the Lawrences lived.

The 35-year-old was reported missing after she failed to report for work as a chef at York University in March 2009.

Her disappearance has been treated as a murder inquiry by North Yorkshire Police almost from the start, and the case has become one of the most high-profile unsolved crimes in the country.

Her breakfast bowls had been left in the kitchen sink and the slippers by the door. Since then her home has been left a ‘time warp’ with her clothes and belongings just waiting. Joan regularly visits the home as a condition of the house insurance.

Last year, following the 15th anniversary of her disappearance, Acting Assistant Chief Constable at North Yorkshire Police, Wayne Fox insisted the inquiry was not closed and said detectives are determined to uncover what happened to Ms Lawrence.

The Answers for Claudia podcast have been working with Joan for several years. and have revealed Claudia's house "had been disturbed not once, but twice". The Mirror told earlier this year how in bombshell developments they fears the raiders have struck twice since the podcast revealed a secret attic had been found in the terraced home.

Joan and journalist Tom. found the attic tucked away in a built-in wardrobe inside Claudia’s bedroom after visiting the home together.

They also found a tissue and a packet of half used chewing gum inside a black leather jacket, which they believe could hold vital DNA clues. But when they returned she was horrified to discover someone had been inside Claudia’s home.

Tom said: “New information has come forward and along with that people of significant interest, who have perhaps not felt comfortable to speak for over a decade, perhaps even 16 years, have come forward.

“We have passed that new information to the police as we always do.

“From a human point of view we feel like it is working and although it’s answers for Claudia, actually just as importantly answers for Joan as well.

“...One of the challenges when we started this journey was the wall of silence almost as if people were reluctant to come forward…but what we are finding is, that’s slowly lifting. “

He said they had “noticed in recent months that the house has been disturbed not once but twice which is of particular concern” but they feel that it is probably due to work they are doing with the podcast.

“...I think we are getting closer and new information has been handed over in recent months.”