The dive expert who was drafted in for the search for Nicola Bulley, 45, insists he’s proud of his work, despite being ‘removed from the National Crime Agency’s expert list’.
Peter Faulding’s Specialist Group International (SGI) was suspended last week while a review is being carried out out into the handling of Nicola's disappearance, law enforcement sources told The Times.
The team was recruited by the family to help find the mum-of-two ten days after she went missing on January 27.
Tragically, Ms Bulley was found dead on February 19, a mile from where she vanished in St Michael's on Wyre.
Now, Mr Faulding has hit back after his team were reportedly taken off the NCA following the news that his SGI team is reportedly no longer listed as an expert search group.
His team conducted a series of underwater searches for three days.
They also scanned a three-mile stretch of the river between St Michael’s on Wyre and Cartford Bridge using sonar equipment that was described as "state of the art".
During the search, Mr Faulding even asserted that he would find the 45-year-old if she was in the river.
In a statement that was published his company's Facebook, he wrote: "There are several reports in the media today based on a story that first appeared in The Times. The Times story is based on information 'confirmed' to the paper by 'law enforcement sources'.
"The story pertains to a confidential matter between SGI and the National Crime Agency. We are not at liberty to comment on matters pertaining to the Expert Advisor’s Database at this time or the reported review of SGI’s inclusion on the database except to state that SGI’s operational ability, integrity and professional search and rescue capabilities are not in question in these matters."
The statement added: "We are proud of our record in specialist search and rescue operations, conducted over many decades, during which we have worked with police departments and other agencies to the high standards expected of nationally recognised specialists. I would ask you all not to speculate or pass blame any further."
The EAD covers a broad range of expertise in more than two dozen areas, including psychiatrists, accountants, and forensic artists.
Its experts are used by the National Crime Agency to crack a range of cases.
But a National Crime Agency spokesperson told The Times that it "does not employ, endorse or accredit experts" on its adviser database.
The spokesperson continued to say: "The database is subject to continual review and its purpose is to maintain a list of expertise UK law enforcement can draw upon when required.
"We proactively seek feedback from customers regarding experts’ performance and contribution. The monitoring of performance equally applies to individuals and organisations who become involved in investigations without NCA engagement."
Ms Bulley, a mortgage advisor, was found and identified by dental records.
