17 February 2023 , 22:21
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The former director of standards at the Met Police says missing mum Nicola Bulley may never be found and the case could be abandoned unsolved.
Stephen Roberts said "sometimes there simply isn't any physical or human evidence of what has happened to an individual" as the search enters its third week.
The 45-year-old mum disappeared while on a dog walk in St Michael's on Wyre, Lancashire, on January 27.
Asked if there may be a moment where police have to accept they may never find the mum-of-two, Mr Roberts said "absolutely that's the case".
It comes as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was "concerned" after Lancashire Police released sensitive information about the missing mortgage adviser's health.
Nicola Bulley's children 'cried their eyes out' after being told 'mummy's lost'
Nicola Bulley vanished on January 27 (Nikki Bulley - Mortgage Adviser/Facebook)
Former Met director of standards Stephen Roberts (sky)And Home Secretary Suella Braverman reportedly held an emergency meeting with the force's chief constable today.
The constabulary said it has launched its own internal review after referring itself to a policing watchdog.
Speaking to Sky News, Mr Roberts said: "We can think back over decades to missing persons cases where the person who disappeared was never found.
"Sometimes that is so. Sometimes there simply isn't any evidence, any physical evidence, any human evidence of what has happened to an individual.
The search for Nicola has entered its third week (PA)"Sometimes, tragically, we and families are left with that mystery that is never solved."
As yet, police have been unable to find any substantial evidence pointing to what happened to Nicola.
And the investigation has come under fire in recent days.
During a press briefing on Wednesday led by senior investigating officer Rebecca Smith, it was revealed she had "vulnerabilities".
Assistant Chief Constable Peter Lawson and Get. Supt. Rebecca Smith during Wednesday's press briefing (Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)This had meant the case was accelerated to 'High Risk', with the police still working mostly along the hypothesis that she accidentally fell into the River Wyre and drowned.
Hours after the conference, the constabulary released a statement outlining that Nicola had "significant" issues with alcohol brought on by struggles with the menopause.
Mum appeared 'completely normal' moments before vanishing while walking dog
These had recently resurfaced and on January 10 officers had been called to her address in Inskip over concerns for her welfare.
The unprecedented step was quickly condemned and the force referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in relation to its contact with the family prior to the disappearance.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (PA)Nicola's family released a statement confirming they were aware police would be releasing the details though said: "Nikki would not have wanted this."
The force has received backlash, including from Labour MP Stella Creasy who said there is "no evidence that this is assisting in finding her".
Lancashire Police are set to conduct an internal review into the investigation, the force has confirmed.
In a statement, a spokeswoman said: “A review of the investigation is diarised and will be conducted by our Head of Crime Detective Chief Superintendent Pauline Stables.“She is also PIP 4 accredited and has attended the national reviewer course.”