The mother of Ben Needham has expressed fears that Greek authorities want her son's case to disappear, as she grapples with the news that British police have ceased their investigation into his disappearance. Kerry Needham, 51, was left devastated after South Yorkshire Police informed her they would no longer handle inquiries into Ben's case, transferring responsibility to Greek authorities. Any new information will now be passed to Interpol and Greek police.
Kerry Needham's Heartbreak
In an exclusive interview, Kerry told the Mirror: “I will never get to know anything if the Greek police are in charge of it, because they won’t do anything. They won’t organise DNA tests, they’ll just put it in a file and move on. I’m gobsmacked. It would be much easier for them if I just went away and everyone forgot about Ben.” She had hoped South Yorkshire Police would accompany her to Kos to speak with Greek prosecutors, but those plans have now collapsed.
Discrepancies in Witness Statements
British officers had previously identified discrepancies in witness statements from 2016, when they conducted searches on Kos. Kerry had been told of plans to re-interview witnesses, but now fears those leads will be lost. “South Yorkshire are the only ones I can rely on to make sure that information goes to the right place. It will stop me from getting to the truth. I may as well give up looking now,” she said from her home in Turkey.
South Yorkshire Police's Response
A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “We remain ready to support Greek authorities should any new evidence come to light, and we remain committed to supporting Kerry. However after 35 years, we must ensure all of the appropriate routes are in place and remain fit for purpose.” But Kerry described the decision as a “devastating step backwards” after nearly 35 years of fighting.
Claims of a 'Conspiracy of Silence'
Kerry has little faith in the Greek police, who she says failed to lock down the island when Ben vanished in 1991. Ferries continued operating without intensive checks, and there were attempts to discredit the family. A Mirror investigation in 2016 uncovered claims of a cover-up to hide police mistakes. A former officer revealed a witness saw a child snatched by a strange car, but his colleagues ignored the report fearing blame for not shutting the island.
The former cop told the Mirror: “The witness said the child was playing outside and someone stepped out of the car and took him. My friend does not lie. I went back but once he knew the child was still missing he didn't want to speak. He said ‘Don’t ask me more, I'm scared’.” He added: “If the child left Kos, all the police officers sitting on chairs would have a problem.”
Inequality in Resources
Kerry has written to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, highlighting the disparity in resources between Ben's case and that of Madeleine McCann. The Met Police investigation into Madeleine has received over £13 million, while South Yorkshire Police have spent less than £2 million on Ben's case over nearly double the time. “Ben was a little boy who disappeared without a trace. His life mattered then, and it matters just as much today,” she wrote.
Kerry added: “I honestly try not to compare it but it makes me feel like I’m not worthy and my son is not worthy of any resources, time or effort spent on him. It’s like he is a second class citizen.” She recalled how police initially dismissed her as an unfit mother because she was young and worked, and fears attitudes have not changed.
Ongoing Commitment
Despite the setback, Kerry vows never to give up. She urges the public to contact South Yorkshire Police and the Prime Minister to demand continued British involvement. “No parent should ever have to stop searching for their child and I never will,” she said. South Yorkshire Police maintain they will continue to allocate a family liaison officer and a detective as a single point of contact, and will route any new evidence to Greece via Interpol.
