CLAIMS that missing chef Claudia Lawrence may have led a secret life have been called in to question by her distraught father.

Solicitor Peter Lawrence has expressed his doubts over police revelations that his 35-year-old daughter was involved in relationships of "complexity and mystery."

The claim was made on Tuesday’s Crimewatch programme on BBC TV by the man leading the inquiry, Detective Superintendent Ray Galloway.

But Mr Lawrence said yesterday he had spoken with one of his daughter’s closest friends, Suzy Cooper, and they both questioned whether she had even had time to form any secret relationships.

"She saw her best friend Suzy and myself very regularly and she worked in quite a strenuous job. We wonder about it," he said.

He added: "I am aware that the police have statements from people but I have no further information about that."

Police received more than 60 calls after the latest TV appeal for information.

And Det Supt Galloway said officers were now working on new lines of inquiry after the appeal for current and former partners of Miss Lawrence.

The missing chef was last seen near her home in York on March 18, and did not arrive for her 6am shift at York University’s Goodricke College the following day.

Detectives have now classified the case as one of suspected murder - and a £10,000 reward is on offer from the charity Crimestoppers.

Before Tuesday’s Crimewatch programme Miss Lawrence’s family had dismissed speculation that she might have had a secret boyfriend.

But Mr Galloway told the programme: "As the investigation has developed, its apparent that some of Claudia’s relationships had an element of complexity and mystery to them.

"I am certain that some of those relationships were not known to her family or her friends."

He added: "I’m not here to judge Claudia’s relationships. I’m here to investigate them. I need people to share that information with me."

Anyone with information that could help the investigation should contact police on 0845 6060 247 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.