"Not only does the evidence show that Lord Lucan has not been known to be alive for at least seven years, but for a period of in excess of 40 years," she ruled. George Bingham, the only son of missing peer Lord Lucan, speaks to the media outside the High Court in London, where he was granted a death certificate by a High Court judge on Wednesday. Credit:PA Lucan vanished after Sandra Rivett, nanny to his three children, was found murdered at the family home in Belgravia, central London on November 7, 1974. His body has never been found. Detectives now accept Lucan is dead but Scotland Yard said the case remains under review as it remains an unsolved murder inquiry. On Wednesday the new Lord Lucan expressed doubts about his father's guilt, but said he was very happy with the judgment, which was "a very long time coming". The Metropolitan Police, which has previously been forced to pursue dozens of conspiracy theories, said in a statement: "The inquiry into the death of Sandra Rivett is the subject of regular reviews, as is the case with all unsolved murders. It has never been closed."

Neil Berriman, the victim's son, said that he hoped "new evidence and lines of inquiry" could provide evidence about what had happened to his mother, which he hoped would come to light in 12 to 14 months. Veronica Lucan, the Dowager Countess of Lucan. Her husband Lord Lucan vanished from their home in 1974, leaving the murdered body of their nanny in the basement. Credit:Getty Images He even claimed he has seen an internal police document suggesting Lucan was alive as recently as 2002. Mr Berriman accused officers of corruption, destroying crime scenes, and claims they know "more than they let on". Speaking after the hearing, Mr Berriman said: "I personally, along with other people I worked with on this case, know that the convenient drowning, shooting that night, of Lord Lucan is not true." In response, the Met Police said it was aware of Mr Berriman's comments and added: "Officers will be making contact with Mr Berriman to discuss his concerns". Richard John Bingham, the 7th Earl of Lucan, who has been missing since 1974. Credit:AP

Police still believe Lucan killed the nanny after mistaking her for his estranged wife Veronica. But the new earl said: "We do not know how this lovely lady died in 1974, but Neil lost a mother and I lost a father. We still do not know how he met his end. I personally think it is a reasonably difficult story to believe that a man married to a woman for 12 years would mistake her for another person." Lady Lucan, formerly miss Veronica Duncan, whose husband Lord Lucan disappeared. Credit:AP Lord Lucan said the quest to have his father declared dead has been a "jaunt" but added that "a person must remain innocent until found guilty". On the night of the peer's disappearance, the nanny's attacker also turned on Lady Lucan, beating her severely before she managed to escape and raise the alarm at a nearby pub.

Lucan's car was found abandoned and soaked in blood in Newhaven, East Sussex, and an inquest jury declared him the killer a year later. Even though Lucan was officially declared dead by the High Court in 1999, there have been reported sightings in Australia, Ireland, South Africa and New Zealand, and even claims that he fled to India and lived as a hippy called "Jungle Barry". After a hearing that lasted less than an hour, Mrs Justice Asplin told the court: "I consider it a straightforward matter that the court must make the declaration that is sought in this case." Mr Berriman shook Lord Lucan's hand afterwards and said: "I am very pleased for him. It is fantastic for him." Telegraph, London