Ruby McKay-Uhd (Dawson Cornwell/PA)

Ruby has been at the centre of family court proceedings in Melbourne, Australia, involving her mother and father, yoga teacher Peter Uhd, 57, the judge has heard.

She was wrongfully brought to the UK by her mother in September and a family court judge in Melbourne ordered her return to Australia.
The judge heard that Mr Uhd is Australian, Ms McKay was born in Birmingham but had been living in Australia for more than 20 years, and Ruby was born in Australia.

Victoria McKay (Dawson Cornwell/PA)

The case has been analysed at private High Court hearings in London.
Mr Justice Keehan lifted an identity bar in the hope that publicity would help find the youngster and her mother.
He also authorised the publication of photographs.
Lawyers representing Ruby’s father had asked to judge to allow Ruby’s disappearance to be revealed.
They said all other efforts to trace her and Ms McKay had failed.
“I am extremely concerned about this young child, who has been abducted from Australia wrongfully by her mother,” said Mr Justice Keehan.
“It is believed she is living an itinerant lifestyle with her mother in a camper van.”
He said he was concerned for the girl’s health and that no-one knew anything about the circumstances in which she was living.
The judge added: “It is extremely important, and necessary for the welfare of this young child, that all possible steps are taken to locate her as soon as possible.”
Barrister William Tyzack, leading Mr Uhd’s legal team, told Mr Justice Keehan that evidence suggested Ms McKay had “no desire to be located”.

He said Mr Uhd and Ms McKay separated some time ago, but Mr Uhd had been spending time with Ruby in Australia until she vanished in September.
“Mr Uhd continues to have very real concerns as to Ruby’s welfare and about the transient nature of her current life.”
Lawyer James Netto, who is also representing Mr Uhd and is based at law firm Dawson Cornwell, said Ms McKay and Ruby were thought to be living in a blue Renault Trafic camper van, registration E527 HPC.
He said Ms McKay had one relative in Birmingham and others in the Littlehampton area of West Sussex.
Mr Netto said she had also spoken of possibly travelling to Scotland.
He said Ms McKay, who also uses the surnames Booty and Garrick, was a qualified yoga teacher and veterinary nurse.
Mr Netto said Ms McKay and Ruby might be living on campsites, caravan parks or farms.
He said Ms McKay was a “country person” who liked organic food and might have visited farmers markets. It was also thought she might be visiting libraries.
Mr Netto added: “Ruby’s father remains exceptionally concerned for her welfare as a result of Ms McKay’s very transient lifestyle.
“He wishes to make it clear that Ms McKay is not in any sort of trouble.
“He is simply seeking for Ruby to be found safely, and for her to return to her home in Melbourne. He asks that anyone who sees her or Ruby to get in touch with us as soon as possible.”