I expected to be a suspect in Nicola Bulley’s disappearance, her partner says as he begs cops to focus on finding her

NICOLA Bulley's partner Paul Ansell says he expected to be a suspect in her disappearance.

The dad-of-two revealed the "first thing" cops did was sit him down and quiz him after Nicola vanished.

And Paul said he was happy to get that "out of the way" so police could focus their efforts on finding the mother of his children.

He was tonight speaking in his first sit-down interview - which also marked two weeks since Nicola vanished.

Paul opened up to Channel 5's Dan Walker this morning, with the interview hitting screens at 9pm.

During their chat he said it came as no surprise when he was treated as a suspect.

The dad-of-two told Dan: "I expected that. I said to them 'do it and get that out the way'."

He says he then urged police to "focus on finding her".

Paul also spoke to trolls who had taken to social media and accused him of being involved in Nicola's disappearance.

He said: "Some of the things that people say are just, I mean, just ridiculous, aren't they?

"I read one that said 'the police need to look at the partner'.

"And I'm sort of like, well, yeah, that's the first thing that they do. Like of course it is.

"I knew that that would happen, you know, on the first day."

Earlier this week Nicola's pals also hit out at "disgusting" accusations being slung at Paul.

One friend was forced to defend him after web sleuths suggested he was involved.

She wrote on Facebook: "Paul and Nikki both mostly work from home which is why he was at home that day.

It comes as...

• Nicola's partner Paul Ansell says he believes a local is responsible for her disappearance.
• Heartbroken Paul begs Nicola Bulley to "just come home" in an emotional message
• Cops confirm they are hunting the owner of a red van seen in the area where the mum vanished
• Paul Ansell reveals a major twist over how his partner's phone was found
• The morning Nicola vanished felt "different" to others, says Paul Ansell
• Nicola Bulley's children ask if "mummy is famous" as search continues into 14th day

"They have CCTV and there is a reason why Paul has never been a suspect.

"Family and friends need these accusations to stop immediately.

"The fact that I've had to write this is disgusting to be honest."

Meanwhile, in tonight's interview, Paul revealed he believes a local is responsible for Nicola's disappearance.

He said: "Whatever has happened, in my eyes, has to be somebody who knows the local area.

"You would only know that area, by local, it's a local area."

As a result, he "pleaded" residents of St Michaels on Wyre search every part of their properties.

He also told Dan he will "never give up" on finding his partner, and insisted he is "100 per cent" sure that she did not fall into the river, as police believe.

The dad begged Nicola to "just come home", and also revealed the moment "panic" set in on the morning Nicola vanished.

He revealed the moment Nicola's phone was found, too.