The father of missing mum Nicola Bulley has spoken out about the 'every day' struggle while the family waits for updates on her.
Ernie Bulley's statement comes as the search for Ms Bulley reaches its third consecutive week. The 45-year-old vanished while walking her dog in St Michael's on Wyre, Lancashire.
Speaking to Sky News, Mr Bulley remarked that: "Every day is a struggle. [We're] no further on from three weeks ago.
Read more: Nicola Bulley latest as family release statement detailing missing mum's health struggles
"[We] just need a breakthrough to give us some hope." In the search for the missing mum, Lancashire Police announced that their "main working hypothesis" is that Ms Bulley fell into the Riverr Wyre between 9.10am and 9.20am on Friday, January 27.
Earlier this week, the force was criticised for revealing that the mother-of-two has "significant issues with alcohol" which were "brought on by her ongoing struggles with the menopause". In response, home secretary Suella Bracerman demanded an "explanation" from police over the decision to reveal such extreme personal details.
Meanwhile, Lancashire's police and crime commissioner Andrew Snowden explained that officers are being "as transparent as they can be" for an "incredibly sensitive and complex case". In a similar vein, senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith said: "In 29 years' police service I've never seen anything like it. Some of it has been quite shocking and really hurtful to the family."
Meanwhile, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) previously said they have made contact with Lancashire Police over information made public in a press conference about missing mother Nicola Bulley’s private life.
In a statement, a spokesman for the IOPC said: “Following information that was made public by Lancashire Constabulary yesterday, we have made contact with the force to determine if a referral to the IOPC may be required.”
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