THE Government has been urged to ensure the family of a missing Hampshire sailor is consulted on decisions being made about his case.

Leading Seaman Timmy MacColl, from Gosport, disappeared in Dubai in May last year.

Now Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage has called on the Government and military bosses to keep the family consulted on any decisions being made over seeking a death certificate.

She said: “On top of the emotional strain of this, it also casts a question mark over their financial future and where they will live.

Can the minister tell me to what extent the Justice Department can liaise with the armed forces to ensure that the family are much better involved in such decisions?”

Minister for Victims and the Courts, Helen Grant, said: “The Ministry of Defence has its own procedures for presuming missing service personnel to be dead and does not liaise with the Ministry Of Justice.

“But I am happy if my Honourable Friend would like further information on the involvement of family members, to make some representations to the Defence Secretary.”