A search expert who was drafted into the search for Nicola Bulley has hit back at "unfair criticism" after a body was found.
Peter Faulding, head of Specialist Group International (SGI), was recruited by Nicola's family to help find the mum-of-two ten days after she went missing on January 27. The team conducted a series of underwater searches across three days.
Lancashire Police confirmed a body was found in the water on Sunday, just a short distance from where Nicola disappeared in St Michael's on Wyre in Lancashire. The body is yet to be formally identified, but Nicola's family have been informed.
READ MORE: Nicola Bulley's partner shares 'agony' after body found in river
In a statement on social media, Peter Faulding offered his thoughts to Nicola's friends and family as he said: "The SGI underwater search team was tasked with searching the river upsteam of weir in the non tidal part of the river, past the bench where Nicola’s phone was found and a mile upstream past this point.
"For three days, using high frequency side scan sonar, we thoroughly search the riverbed and can categorically confirm that Nicola was not laying on the riverbed on the days that we searched. We did search the stretch of river where Nicola was found for four hours on our first day and then upstream past the weir on the subsequent two days.
"The police underwater search teams and land search teams were searching for three full weeks and were also unable to find Nicola. Unfortunately it was a member of the public that made a grim discovery, unconfirmed as yet to be Nicola."
He added the body was found in reeds at the side of the river, which was not part of their search remit and would be undetectable with the sonar. He added: "A riverbank and wade search would be the only way to search this area and we were not involved or tasked with that search.
"The difference between these two search areas has caused a lot of confusion and unfair criticism towards myself and my team at Specialist Group International (SGI). My previous comments saying that if Nicola was in the river, I would find her, still stand.
"My team and I at SGI did all we could to assist this family with only our best intentions. I am sure I can say this of everyone who has been involved in this difficult search."
The team scoured a stretch of water close to where the mortgage advisor's phone was discovered on the bench. Over the weekend, a huge police investigation was underway and the death is currently being treated as "unexplained".
In his statement, Peter added: "I did not volunteer my services, my equipment or my team for any limelight or publicity, I simply wanted to lend extra resources to help a family in despair and this was supported by Lancashire Police. However, there has been unprecedented media and public interest in this case and at every turn, I was asked for an update on my own search, which I provided with only best intentions.
"Support for my assistance and my actions have been overwhelmingly positive although I am aware of that some negativity has been towards myself and my team. SGI is the recognised underwater search team for Essex, Surrey, Sussex, Kent, Hampshire and Thames Valley police who we have worked closely alongside for many years.
"Unfortunately there are few police underwater search teams left. Each year we locate and recover many unfortunate victims and bring them back to their families. Sadly, for circumstances out of our control, and as hard as we try, sometimes we are unable to locate the missing person."
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