Nicola Bulley diver Peter Faulding ‘told to sign NDA’ and during search

A police review of the hunt to find missing mum Nicola Bulley has claimed an underwater search expert “caused challenges” for the investigation.

The College of Policing report said a chief inspector offered some “suitable, robust advice” to Peter Faulding “about the information he is passing to the media, unhelpful to the investigation, the family and wider community”.

In a statement in response to the claims of the review Mr Faulding said he “never met any senior officers”, adding “at no time was I ever briefed or advised specifically not to speak to the media.”

Mr Faulding, leader of underwater search experts Specialist Group International (SGI), told media that police had “low-tech” diving equipment, unlikely to be able to find a body.

Ms Bulley’s family became aware of this report and efforts were made to contact SGI to help the search and to ask police to get SGI involved.

The latest inquiry by the College of Policing published today highlights the fractious relationship officers had with underwater search team at times.

In a ground-breaking new revelation the force also claimed it had Mr Faulding sign a non-disclosure agreement and told how he went off-piste from his remit of searching in the water at one stage, taking a spade to dig up an area of land he suspected was “recently disturbed”.

SGI responded that no “official” NDA had been discussed or signed and, in fact, Mr Faulding and his team felt “ambushed” by the press and had no support from police so assumed his involvement with the media was “within the terms of engagement”.

The report said Lancashire Constabulary felt it was placed in an unenviable situation, which would lead to a widespread negative perception that the force was not using every opportunity to locate Ms Bulley, the report said.

Lancashire Constabulary felt that this would undermine public trust and confidence and, therefore, subsequently agreed to allow the use of SGI to support them in their search efforts and contacted Mr Faulding, who offered his services free of charge.

The report said Mr Faulding had also informed the Bulley family that he thought he had identified a body deposition site (the location or believed location site of a deceased body).

As part of the review, Lancashire Constabulary suggested this had caused unwarranted distress and false alarm and resulted in the diversion of police resources to the family to remedy the situation.

The report continues: “It is the view of Lancashire Constabulary that Mr Faulding had a significant impact on the investigation and public confidence through his activities and his engagement with the media.

“The review team considers that some of his actions created a more challenging environment for the investigation team.

“His public statements often contradicted the investigative and operational approach, leading to confusion for the public and reducing the family’s trust in the investigation and search operation.”