14 February 2023 , 21:27
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The distraught partner of missing mum Nicola Bulley is said to be "frustrated" with police over their stalling investigation.
The 45-year-old woman went missing on January 27 in the village of St Michael's on Wyre while walking her springer spaniel Willow after she dropped her two daughters, aged six and nine, at school. She has not been seen since.
Her partner Paul Ansell, 44, has urged police to widen their search and pleaded for answers to some key questions.
He is reportedly "appalled" as he had requested to hold a joint press conference last week, but it did not go ahead.
Paul Ansell with forensic expert Peter Faulding (Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)Forensic expert Peter Faulding said Mr Ansell "vented his frustrations" to the police family liaison officers despite having a good relationship with them.
Nicola Bulley's children 'cried their eyes out' after being told 'mummy's lost'
Mr Faulding told MailOnline: "He's got a relationship with the police family liaison officers, but I think he's struggling to get answers that he wants.
"He's got a line of communication with them, but I think there’s a problem. He vented his frustrations to the family liaison officers last week in front of me when I was there."
According to Mr Faulding, Nicola's partner urged police to search buildings in the village, but officers said they cannot do so as they need a search warrant.
Nicola Bulley went missing on January 27 (PA)Mr Faulding said Mr Ansell wanted to issue a joint statement with the police, but was "absolutely appalled" when he did not hear back from them.
The expert added Mr Ansell is "lost" without his partner: "Paul is just lost, really. He's got no partner, the kids are missing their mum... He's in pieces. Absolutely in pieces. He just wants to know where Nicola is."
Police believe the mortgage adviser fell into the River Wyre in a "10-minute window" between 9.10am and 9.20am that day.
The search for her continues and on Thursday detectives extended it to the sea after they said finding her there "becomes more of a possibility".