Lucan family 'draw line' under disappearance

"Lord Lucan's family will be able to draw a line under his disappearance now that they have been officially granted probate", a friend said today.

"Lord Lucan's family will be able to draw a line under his disappearance now that they have been officially granted probate", a friend said today.

The family of the lord, who has been missing since the murder of his family's nanny 25 years ago, was granted full probate by the High Court in August.

It allows the executors of Lord Lucan's will to deal with the estate, although it is not a death certificate.

International arrest warrants allege that the earl murdered his children's nanny, Sandra Rivett, and attempted to murder his wife Veronica at their home in Belgravia, London, on November 7, 1974.

Despite speculation that he may still be alive, his family and friends believe he killed himself in the immediate aftermath of the events of November 1974.

The probate document states: "Be it known that the Right Honourable Richard John Bingham, Seventh Earl of Lucan, of 72a Elizabeth Street, London SW1, died on or since the 8th day of November 1974."

William Sitwell, a friend of Lord Lucan's son, George Bingham, said: "What George wants to do and what the family wants to do is draw a line under the whole thing.

"I am sure he is pleased that this has happened. Perhaps it will stop all the speculation about his father."

In July the Lord Chancellor rejected his request to take his father's title and the seat in the House of Lords.

"Maybe he will be able to apply again for the title, but after last night's vote to abolish hereditary peers he may never be able to sit in the House of Lords," Mr Sitwell said.