Diving expert involved in search for Nicola Bulley speaks out ahead of her inquest

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

An expert who conducted a private search for Nicola Bulley in the River Wyre while she was missing says he hasn't been asked to give evidence at her inquest.

Peter Faulding, CEO of Specialist Group International (SGI), and his team spent three days searching a stretch of the river using sonar equipment where police believed the 45-year-old mum had fallen into the water, close to a bench where her phone and dog where found.

They didn't fine a trace of the mother-of-two in the section of the river. He later faced criticism when the police recovered Nicola's body and SGI was removed from the National Crime Agency’s list of specialists.

An inquest into Ms Bulley's death is due to begin on Monday (June 26) at the County Hall in Preston. Ahead of the hearing, Mr Faulding spoke out to 'clarify the situation after a number of questions from the press and public'. Join our WhatsApp Top Stories and Breaking News group by clicking this link He issued a lengthy statement in which he confirmed neither he nor his organisation have had any contact with Lancashire Police or the coroner, Lancs Live report. "Our thoughts are with Nicola’s family and close friends, and we hope that the upcoming inquest into the death of Nicola Bulley provides the answers they are seeking and deserve," he said. "SGI were called to assist in the search for Nicola Bulley by Lancashire Constabulary following a request for SGI by the family.