Son of Lord Lucans victim is told elderly man in Australia isnt missing peer

The son of a nanny killed by Lord Lucan has been told by police the mystery elderly Englishman living in Australia is not the missing peer.

After a 15-month probe, the Metropolitan Police revealed to Neil Berriman that they have identified the well-spoken pensioner as a different person.

Last year the Mirror told of his crusade to find the man who killed his mum, Sandra Rivett.

He said he had tracked down Lucan to Australia where he was living in a Buddhist commune. He would be 86.

Mr Berriman said he was distraught at the “poor” and “upsetting” way he had been treated by police.

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John Bingham, 7th Earl of Lucan, with his future wife Veronica Duncan in 1963 (Image: Getty Images)

He said: “I just can’t believe the way I have been treated. I was recently called up to London by the police. I was handed a letter and they briefly ran through what they claim to have found.

“None of the ‘evidence’ they claimed proved this man is not Lucan was made available to me. I fully understand delays because of
the pandemic.

“They took over 15 months and come back with such a shallow and weak response.”

Sandra was murdered aged 29 in Belgravia, central London in November 1974.

It is believed Lucan â€" real name John Bingham â€" bludgeoned her after mistaking Sandra for his wife, Veronica.

Sandra Rivett, who was allegedly murdered by Lord Lucan (Image: Topfoto/PA Images)

Before she began working for the Lucans she gave birth to a son who was adopted. Many years later Mr Berriman discovered Sandra was his birth mum.

Mr Berriman, a building contractor from Milland, West Sussex, said he was concerned no DNA or facial recognition tests were done.

“Surely that would have been top of their list?” he said. “If the Australian police questioned the man did they take any [DNA]?”

Mr Berriman said the police’s behaviour was “odd”, and he found it bizarre he has been told not to make any further approaches to the man.

He said: “I think they are just waiting for him to die. Who is this man? I know some people will think I’m chasing a lost cause but I need to do this for my mother. I’ve spent a lot of money but I really don’t regret it at all.

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Lord Lucan disappeared in 1974 (Image: PA)

“This isn’t over â€" not by a long way. I understand the man has moved house in Australia. He has disappeared â€" that’s very convenient, isn’t it?

“I’m also told for four months last year even the Australian police did not know his whereabouts.”

Last month a 1,200-page report on police corruption focused on the killing of private detective Daniel Morgan.

It named an officer, who worked on the Lucan inquiry in the 1970s.

After killing Sandra, Lucan fled the scene and his body has not been found.

Mr Berriman added: “I will never give up seeking justice for my mum.”

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