Jay Slater mystery deepens as Spanish police claim two men last seen with missing teen ‘not relevant’ to case

During his final call to his friend Lucy Law at 8am local time last Monday, the 19-year-old said his phone had only one per cent battery, he was thirsty and he did not know where he was.

His last location showed he was in the Rural de Teno Park - an area popular among hikers. He has not been seen since and the search has entered its ninth day.

The two men he met at NRG music festival were spoken to by local police at the small cottage, in the village of Musca, where the three travelled back together.

However, Spanish police have now said that the two men are “not relevant” to the case, according to Sky News.

Both men, who hail from Luton, Bedfordshire, have since returned to the UK.

Officers in Britain revealed last week that they have no intention of speaking with the pair.

• ‘Why’s it taken so long?’ Inspector wades in as Jay Slater's friend comes forward
• Jay Slater could have 'slipped on rocks' during final phone call with friend
• Another missing British tourist found dead in Spain while search for Jay Slater continues

The latest update comes as a large-scale search for the apprentice brick layer started this morning.

On Friday, the Guardia Civil appealed for volunteer associations, such as firefighters, and individual volunteers who were experts in rugged terrain to assist in a “busqueda masiva”, or massive search, to take place on Saturday.

The Spanish police force said the search, beginning at 9am in the village of Masca, near to his last-known location, would be co-ordinated to take in a steep rocky area, including ravines, trails and paths.

It marks the 13th day in the search for Slater.

It also comes as an inspector has questioned Jay Slater’s best friend’s decision to speak out over a week after he went missing.

Brad Hargreaves emotionally opened up about his last chat with the 19-year-old in which he urged him to get a taxi back to his accommodation.

Hargreaves believes he is one of the last people to have spoken to Slater prior to his disappearance in Tenerife, and he claims he heard him sliding on rocks in their last phone conversation.

Speaking on GB News was inspector Mike Neville, who questioned why Hargreaves opted to wait until now to make the information public.

Asked what he makes of the news, he told Anne Diamond and Stephen Dixon: “It continues the view of the Spanish police.

“There has been all sorts of speculation that there was some kind of drugs involvement in this or a kidnap.

“Of course, the police will look at every single lead.

“What we have here now is another friend coming forward, seemingly with no ulterior motive to say, ‘look, I had a video call, I could see his feet, he was sliding down some rocks’.

“Why it’s taken so long for him to come forward, I don’t know. But obviously, this just gives more credence to the theory that he was on his own.”