The father of a girl who disappeared over 40 years ago has announced his intention to return his Army medals in protest against the handling of the case. Katrice Lee vanished on her second birthday near a British military base in Paderborn, Germany, in 1981.

Richard Lee, residing in Hartlepool, expressed his plan to join other veterans in returning their medals when he visits Downing Street on May 31. The Ministry of Defence conveyed their sympathies to the family.

Katrice disappeared while with her mother, Sharon, and her aunt, Wendy, at a Naafi supermarket. Mr. Lee, a former warrant officer with over 30 years of service, including in the 15/19 Royal King’s Hussars in West Germany, intends to return his Northern Ireland general service medal and another medal awarded for 30 years of service and good conduct.

He stated that former soldiers from across the UK have pledged to accompany him on his journey to Downing Street. The family believes Katrice was abducted and feels let down by the Army, Royal Military Police, and successive governments.

Recalling the time of his daughter’s disappearance, Mr Lee said: ”We were on a lifeboat cut adrift, floundering with no one to guide us and hold our hand.”

Mr Lee said a meeting with the then Prime Minister Boris Johnson in May 2022 was a “publicity stunt”.

He expressed receiving minimal advance notice before the meeting, which occurred during Mr. Johnson’s visit to Hartlepool, and noted that no “meaningful” discussions took place. A scheduled meeting between Mr. Lee and then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in 1982 was cancelled due to the Falklands War.

In 2012, the Royal Military Police issued an apology for shortcomings in the initial investigation and reopened inquiries as Operation Bute. The government agreed to reassess the case in 2017.

During the same year, a photo-fit of a man seen placing a child in a car shortly after Katrice disappeared surfaced. The subsequent year, attention shifted to the bank of the Alme river, close to where Katrice vanished, where over 100 soldiers conducted a five-week excavation.

Mr. Lee remarked that his medals held no significance to him and that the lack of support he had received had “depreciated” their value.

The Ministry of Defence conveyed their sympathies to Richard Lee and his family as they continue their quest for answers. Their statement also expressed the department’s openness to any additional information that could aid in determining Katrice’s whereabouts.