Mr Hargreaves told ITV’s This Morning he received a video call from Mr Slater in which he appeared to be sliding off a designated path, with the call showing his feet on rough ground.
Speaking to ITV last week, Mr Hargreaves said: “I don’t know how or what has gone on there but he’s gone off and rang me halfway to their house saying ‘I’m staying here and I’ll be back the next day’.
“At the time I didn’t think anything of it. I just thought he was going to get a bus home or a taxi home because that’s what he says he is going to do.
“Next thing you know his phone dies and it’s 10 days on now and nothing since.”
Speaking to the previously, Mr Slater’s mother said: “He’s just an all-round nice, bubbly guy with hundreds of friends who love being in his company.
“He’s gorgeous, he’s beautiful. He’s my baby.”
Lancashire Police referred questions about the cancellation of the search to the Guardia Civil, saying its role was to support Mr Slater’s family.
