Diving expert whose firm failed to find Nicola Bulley says their ‘expertise is not in question’
Diving expert Peter Faulding, whose firm was unable to find Nicola Bulley, says their “expertise is not in question” after they were delisted by the National Crime Agency.
The specialist diver who claimed he would find Nicola Bulley if she was in the River Wyre responded by saying his company’s “expertise is not in question” following his recent removal from the National Crime Agency’s expert list.
Peter Faulding’s International Specialist Group (SGI) has assisted in several high-profile investigations and joined the search for the missing mother for three days before sensationally assuring that she was “not in that section of the river”.
SGI was removed this week from an official list of recommended experts to assist in investigations into the expert advisor database.
In a statement to MailOnline today, he said SGI’s operational ability and experience are not in question.
“We have had correspondence with the National Crime Agency, but we are not free to comment on matters related to the expert advisor database at this time or the reported review of SGI’s inclusion in the database. We will seek further clarification on the subject.
Peter Faulding’s International Specialist Group (SGI) joined the search for the missing mother for three days before sensationally assuring that she was “not in that section of the river”.
Nicola Bulley (pictured with her partner Paul Ansell) was tragically found last Sunday February 19th in the reeds by the river.
‘SGI’s operational ability and experience are not in question. We are proud of our track record in specialized 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 recognized specialists.
“In the search for Nicola Bulley, we were tasked with assisting Lancashire Police with the riverine search element of the operation, and we carried it out to the highest standards. Our intention at all times was to provide help and assistance to the police, and to Nicola’s family.
“Our thoughts at this time are with the family of Nicola Bulley and we would ask all parties to respect her privacy wishes.”
An internal review is expected to take place and could result in the group being reinstated, according to The times.
A National Crime Agency spokesperson told the publication: ‘The NCA does not employ, endorse or accredit experts in our database of advisers.
‘The database is subject to continual review and its purpose is to maintain a list of experience that UK law enforcement can call upon when necessary.
‘We proactively seek customer feedback regarding performance and expert contribution. Performance monitoring applies equally to individuals and organizations that engage in research without NCA involvement.’
Faulding, 60, wandered the River Wyre for three days after she went missing on January 27.
After her body was tragically located in the nearby reeds, he said his £55,000 high-tech sonar can only scan in water and cannot travel through the reeds.
Mr Faulding, 60, roamed the River Wyre for three days after he went missing on January 27 (pictured February 7)
Nicola Bulley’s body was discovered in reeds in the River Wyre
At the time, he said: “The SGI underwater search team was tasked with searching upstream of the dam in the non-tidal part of the river, past the bank where Nicola’s phone was found and a mile upstream beyond from this point.
“Over three days, using high-frequency side-scan sonar, we thoroughly searched the riverbed and can categorically confirm that Nicola was not lying in the riverbed on the days we searched.
“We searched for the stretch of river where Nicola was (supposedly) found for four hours on our first day and then upstream past the dam on the next two days.
Police underwater and land search teams searched for three full weeks and couldn’t find Nicola either.
“Unfortunately, the discovery was not found in the river, but in the reeds on the river side, which was not part of our mandate, as side scan sonar does not penetrate the reeds above or below the water.
‘A riverbank and fording search would be the only way to search this area and we were not involved or commissioned in that search. The difference between these two search areas has caused a lot of confusion and unfair criticism of me and my team at Specialist Group International.
‘My previous comments said that if Nicola was in the river, I would find her, still standing. My team and I at SGI did everything we could to help this family with our best intentions. I’m sure I can say this for everyone who has been involved in this difficult search.’