Government to review toddler's disappearance after call by Hartlepool MP

New Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has agreed to meet with Hartlepool MP Mike Hill after Mr Hill raised the case in the House of Commons.

Yesterday marked the 36th anniversary of Katrice going missing from a NAAFI supermarket in Paderborn, Germany, where dad Richie Lee, from Hartlepool, was stationed.

A picture of what Katrice Lee may look like released by Operation BUTE on her 38th birthday

Mr Hill said in Parliament: “As the Royal Military Police’s Operation BUTE is still live, will the Secretary of State agree to review the case and meet me, and my constituent Mr Richard Lee, Katrice’s father, to discuss the matter?

Mr Williamson said: “I should be more than happy to review the case and meet the honourable gentleman to discuss it in greater detail.

But despite the promise of a review, Richie remains sceptical anything will come of it.

He said: “My personal opinion is nothing will change.

Katrice Lee aged 23months. Picture by FRANK REID

“The name of the defence minister night have changed but that is all.

“That is based on my previous experience with Michael Fallon. He said he would meet with me but it never happened.

“He just pushed it on to the armed forces veterans minister. I don’t hold faith in the system.”

Mr Hill raised the case as part of a new campaign to raise awareness of Katrice’s case.

Richie, 68, of Belle Vue, added: ”I think Mike will fight my corner admirably.

“I don’t think he will be fobbed off but he might be sent off in different directions like I am.

“I don’t believe that without changing the past mistakes that we can move forward.”

In 2012, Royal Military Police chiefs admitted that the initial investigation had been flawed.

A re-investigation called Operation BUTE is currently ongoing.

A petition calling for the release of the Royal Military Police’s files on the case launched on the website 38 Degrees has had over 700 signatures in just over 24 hours.

The investigation team released a new photo showing what Katrice might look like now on her 38th birthday yesterday.

Operation BUTE is looking to hear from anyone who knows what happened to Katrice, anyone who was shopping in the NAAFI on the November 28, 1981, or anyone who worked there.

Call 0800 616888, email [email protected] or see the Operation BUTE Facebook page.