A friend of missing mother-of-two Nicola Bulley criticized Lancashire’s Police’s decision to reveal intimate details about her personal life and health, claiming they made the ‘unfair’ decision to divert attention from their lack of progress on the case.
Wednesday, the detectives investigating the disappearance of Nicola Bulley, a 45-year-old mortgage adviser, released a statement that included highly personal information about the missing woman.
The Home Secretary ordered Lancashire Police to explain why they made public her struggles with alcoholism and menopause in response to a public backlash.
Previously, police stated that Ms. Bulley’s “specific vulnerabilities” made her a “high-risk” missing person. She was last seen on January 27 at approximately 9:10 a.m. while walking her dog Willow in St. Michael’s on Wyre.
It comes amid escalating criticism of the police investigation, as Lancashire Police referred themselves to the police watchdog over contact they had with Ms. Bulley weeks before her disappearance.
The friend of the family stated last night that they believe police released the private information to “shift the focus” away from the public scrutiny they face in relation to the investigation.
They told the Mirror, “I’m furious for Nikki.” She is beautiful, kind, and loving. One of the best possible types of companions.
This has given her an unfair image. I believe the police did this to deflect attention away from themselves and their lack of progress.
They added, “Everything written will be in the public domain.” Her daughters will eventually read this entire text.
They joined other family members in pleading for the search for Ms. Bulley to continue, stating that the police “want people to accept their theory that she went into the river.”
The force’s decision has been widely criticized by the government, members of parliament, and women’s rights activists, as well as Ms. Bulley’s inner circle.
This week, Suella Braverman demanded answers from Lancashire Constabulary after becoming “concerned” about the force’s decision to release highly personal information about the 45-year-old mother.
In response to the force’s disclosure of Ms. Bulley’s personal information, women’s rights activists have accused officers of attempting to conceal their ‘incompetence’ in the ongoing three-week investigation.
An ex-detective referred to the force’s statement as “astonishing,” and a former missing persons expert at Scotland Yard stated that the failure of police to explain why they believed Ms. Bulley had drowned created a “unnecessary circus.”
A source close to the Home Secretary stated, “She was troubled by the disclosure of Nicola Bulley’s personal information by Lancashire police and requested an explanation from the force, which she received yesterday evening.”
It is believed that the force informed the Home Office that it had taken action to dispel false rumors. However, government insiders reported that ministers were not “completely satisfied.”
After a contentious press conference on Wednesday, during which the senior officer investigating Ms. Bulley’s disappearance was repeatedly questioned about why unspecified ‘vulnerabilities’ had led to her being classified as a ‘high risk’ missing person, the storm of criticism grew.
Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith stated that the issues had been brought to the attention of her colleagues, but she refused to explain why they were relevant to the case.
Several hours later, the force issued a sensational statement revealing Ms. Bulley’s personal crisis.
The report also noted that “these struggles had resurfaced” and posed “serious challenges” for the family. 17 days prior to her disappearance, officers and health professionals responded to a ‘concern for welfare’ at the family home.
On Thursday, friends labeled the force ‘out of order’ and pleaded on social media for people to ‘be kind’ in response to the announcement.
Later, Lancashire police released a statement from her family demanding an end to the “cruel” and “appalling” speculation surrounding her personal life.
Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the actions as “very unusual” and demanded an explanation from Lancashire Constabulary.
Alicia Kearns, a member of the Conservative Party, stated that she was ‘deeply uncomfortable’ with the disclosure of Ms. Bulley’s’so-called ‘vulnerabilities’ regarding menopause and alcohol’
She stated, “I find it difficult to comprehend how this will aid police in their searches and investigations.”
I can see how it would help those who wish to victim-blame or minimize.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) asked the force to consider self-referral in light of the widespread criticism of its handling of the case.
Instead of responding, the force referred itself over the contact it had with Ms. Bulley on January 10, when it was called to the family’s residence.
Thursday’s IOPC statement read, “This afternoon we received a referral from Lancashire Constabulary regarding contact the force had with Nicola Bulley on January 10, prior to her disappearance.”
We are evaluating the available information to determine if an investigation into that contact is necessary and, if so, who should conduct it.
The police stated that this referral was unrelated to the larger investigation into missing persons.
Following the press conference, the Conservative police and crime commissioner for Lancashire, Andrew Snowden, stated that the force was being as transparent as possible.
Family statement by Nicola Bulley
Three weeks have passed since Nikki went missing. As a family, we believe that the public’s attention has shifted away from finding Nikki and toward speculation and rumors about her and Paul’s private lives.
“As a family, we were aware that Lancashire Police had issued a statement containing personal information about Nikki last night.
People are speculating and threatening to sell stories about Nikki despite the fact that we are aware that she would not have wanted this. This is abhorrent and must end immediately.
Now that the police know the truth about Nikki, the public must concentrate on locating her.
‘As a result of the perimenopause, Nikki suffered from significant side effects such as brain fog and restless sleep. She was taking HRT to alleviate these symptoms, but it was giving her severe headaches, which led her to stop taking the HRT in the hope that it would help, but it actually caused this crisis.
The focus of the public must be on locating her, not on speculating about her private life.
Contrary to what some media outlets and individuals claim, we receive daily updates and assistance from our family liaison officers.
Nikki is a wonderful daughter, sister, partner, and mother, and she is sorely missed – we all need her back in our lives.
“Nikki, we hope you are reading this and know how much we adore you; your daughters want a hug.” Everyone needs you home. You can contact us, or you can reach out to MissingPeople.org.uk. Don’t be afraid, we all adore you tremendously.
Former home secretary Priti Patel stated on Thursday evening that the decision to disclose such personal information raised “serious concerns.”
She stated, “It is entirely inappropriate and overly judgmental for them to have made such personal statements about Nicola.”
Jamie Klingler of Reclaim These Streets, which clashed with the Metropolitan Police in the aftermath of the murder of Sarah Everard by serving officer Wayne Couzens, accused the force of using Ms. Bulley “as a shield to protect their own incompetence.”
She added, labeling the officers as “cruel,” “This is not how to treat a missing woman.”
Zo Billingham, who served as HM Inspector of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue for twelve years, told the BBC that the update “smacked either of panic or perhaps a deliberate decision by the force to consider how they can maintain their reputation.”
Former Scotland Yard missing person’s expert Mick Neville stated, ‘At first, they claimed she was completely ordinary, but they lied. All of this is a result of poor publicity management, a cover-up, and the failure to disclose certain information.
By not being forthright from the outset, the police have produced an unnecessary circus.
And Martyn Underhill, a former detective and police and crime commissioner, stated that the ‘astonishing’ level of personal information revealed by officers posed a risk of diverting attention away from ‘the central question, which is where is Nicola?
‘.
He stated that the decision, made nearly three weeks after her disappearance, ruined Nicola’s reputation.
Ms. Bulley was last seen on January 27 in St. Michael’s on Wyre while walking her dog by the river after dropping off her six- and nine-year-old daughters at school. She left her phone on a bench.
The police continue to emphasize that their “working hypothesis” is that the mortgage consultant fell into the River Wyre and that there is “absolutely no evidence” to suggest she was the victim of foul play.
While the mouth of the river and Morecambe Bay continue to be searched, detectives continue to search for evidence that she fled the scene on foot.
The referral to the IOPC came after Ms. Bulley’s family pleaded with the public to stop speculating about her personal life and instead focus on ‘finding’ her.
In a statement released by Lancashire Constabulary, the 45-year-old woman’s family revealed more information about her battle with menopause and their fears that her decision to abruptly stop taking HRT may have “ended up causing this crisis.”
The family stated that Ms. Bulley “would not have wanted this” and that they were “aware” it was being distributed, but refrained from stating their approval.
‘As a family, we believe that the public’s attention has shifted from finding Nikki to speculations and rumors about her and Paul’s private lives.
“As a family, we were aware that Lancashire Police had issued a statement containing personal information about Nikki last night.
People are speculating and threatening to sell stories about Nikki despite the fact that we are aware that she would not have wanted this. This is abhorrent and must cease.
It continued: ‘The focus of the public must be on locating her, not on speculating about her private life.
Contrary to what some media outlets and individuals have suggested, we receive daily updates and assistance from our family liaison officers.
The family concluded their statement with a direct request for Ms. Bulley to return, saying, “Your girls want a cuddle.”
Nikki is such a wonderful daughter, sister, partner, and mother, and she is sorely missed – we all need her back in our lives.
“Nikki, we hope you are reading this and know how much we adore you; your daughters want a hug.” Everyone needs you home.
You can either reach out to us or contact MissingPeople.org.uk. Don’t be afraid, we all adore you tremendously.
Ernest, 73, and Dot Bulley, 72, tied a yellow ribbon to the River Wyre bridge in St. Michael’s on Wyre, where their daughter went missing on January 27.
Among the ribbons left by friends and well-wishers, Ms. Bulley’s parents’ message read: ‘We pray for you every day. Love you, Mum + Dad XXX.’
A second ribbon, believed to be from Ms. Bulley’s sister Louise Cunningham, read: “Nikki, please return home.” I love you. Lou XXX’.
Due to her ‘vulnerabilities,’ Ms. Bulley was immediately classified as a high-risk missing person when she was reported missing on Wednesday.
Police in Lancashire disclosed that the mortgage consultant had “significant issues with alcohol brought on by ongoing menopausal struggles.”
Police initially stated that she had ‘vulnerabilities,’ but shared additional information hours later, explaining that they felt it was ‘important to clarify’
MPs and activists have described the decision to publicly release the mother-of-personal two’s information as “extremely troubling.”
Police experts have also questioned why officers did not share the fact that Ms. Bulley was deemed high risk and vulnerable on day one, a fact that may have been pertinent to the search.
Two individuals are arrested for sending “malicious” messages to local councillors regarding the Nicola Bulley search.
In relation to the disappearance of Nicola Bulley, two individuals have been detained on suspicion of sending malicious communications.
Lancashire Police reported receiving reports of messages sent to Wyre Council members over the weekend.
A man, age 49, from Manchester and a woman, age 20, from Oldham, have been arrested on suspicion of malicious communications offenses.
The man has been released on bail pending further investigation until 12 May, while the woman remains in custody.
Due to “inappropriate emails and phone calls” about Ms. Bulley’s disappearance, Wyre Council removed councillors’ contact information from its website on Monday.
After Lancashire Police confirmed its investigation, it stated it had temporarily removed contact information for “parish and town council members.”
It completely contradicted the February 3 press conference held by Superintendent Sally Riley.
Thereafter, the officer was directly asked if Ms. Bulley had any other factors, such as depression, medication, or underlying conditions, that could have contributed to her disappearance.
The response from Supt. Riley was, “We have clearly considered the entire picture, but this is not pertinent at this time.”
On Thursday, questions were raised as to why the police were not “transparent from the beginning” and concealed the fact that the beloved mother of two was vulnerable.
If relevant to the case, it is extremely common for people to be described in this manner in missing person cases.
Experts and former officers expressed disbelief at Lancashire’s failure to do this, stating that the omission fueled a three-week mystery that resulted in the force issuing a dispersal notice to discourage TikTokers and amateur detectives.
Peter Bleksley, who is also known for his appearances on the television show Hunted, criticized Lancashire Police.
He stated, “The police’s naiveté has been absolutely mind-boggling.” They have attempted to manage the situation, but have failed virtually at every turn.
If the public does not believe what the police are saying and they do not believe in their media strategy, it is only natural that some individuals may not trust their investigation.
Mark Williams-Thomas stated in a scathing attack that Lancashire Police’s media strategy in the investigation into the mortgage adviser’s disappearance while walking her dog three weeks ago is “completely wrong.”
Mr. Williams-Thomas, who exposed the crimes of Jimmy Savile and investigated the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, criticized their initial decision to withhold information about the missing mother’s vulnerable condition, which severely hampered the search.
After interest in the case had been allowed to grow, he alleged, the police threw her family into turmoil by disclosing information about her ‘alcohol problems.’
Speaking on the riverbank in St Michaels on Wyre, close to the location where 45-year-old Ms. Bulley was last seen on January 27, Mr. Williams-Thomas told MailOnline on Thursday, ‘They [Lancashire Police] got their media strategy completely wrong.
“The family is currently in turmoil. The last twenty-four hours have been horrifying due to the police’s decision to announce yesterday that she was a high-risk missing person. Yesterday’s performance was shocking.
The former detective continued, ‘Not only in the fact that [they] claimed she was a high-risk missing person during the press conference and then refused to explain why.
How did they believe that they could release such information without journalists and investigators asking, “What are you talking about?”
‘
Mr. Williams-Thomas, a former Surrey Police detective, stated that Lancashire Police only disclosed Nicola’s vulnerability after he informed them that he had information about a police visit to her residence just weeks before she disappeared.
He stated, ‘They have acknowledged they have committed significant errors. And I am aware of this because I have spoken with the police press department and they have confirmed it.’
“When I spoke with the police yesterday morning before lunch, I informed them, “Listen, I have information that something has occurred in the family… What will you do about the fact that emergency services have been dispatched to the address? Please confirm whether this is true or not. ‘
Then, in the early evening, they released information that Nicola has experienced difficulties in her life.
He continued, ‘What they should have done from the beginning is eliminate all speculation, deal with it, and have a very clear strategy.
“Nicola has issues in her life – we all have issues in our lives – but that does not make her any less susceptible to [being abducted by] third parties than anyone else.”
Similarly, the forensic diving expert who assisted in the search for Ms. Bulley stated that if officers had shared their intelligence with him when his team searched the River Wyre, his approach would have been entirely different.
Ms. Bulley’s family contacted Peter Faulding’s Specialist Group International after she had been missing for over a week.
They searched the river for three days before declaring the case a “complete mystery.”
If he had known she was a ‘high-risk’ individual with’significant alcohol issues’ and’struggling,’ he would have searched further down the river, he claims.
If Ms. Bulley had fallen in where her phone and dog harness were discovered, she would have landed in just two feet of water on rocks and would not have drowned, he told Sky News on Thursday night.
In a subsequent interview with GB News, he stated that he would have acted differently if he had known Ms. Bulley was classified as “high risk” due to her mental state.
He stated, “If a person intends to commit suicide, and I deal with a number of suicides each year for the police, they tend to jump in and may swim and float before drowning.”
We search for items such as whisky bottles because the majority of people have a drop, some pills, and they tend to drift downwards.
Mr. Faulding had previously stated that the mother could not be in the river, having conducted a search under the assumption that she had fallen in.
But he now believes that if she had intended to commit suicide, she would be much further downstream.
Mr. Faulding stated on TalkTV, ‘If she had jumped in, intended to commit suicide, or fled, my entire plan would change.’
She could have been swept out to sea.
And he told The Times, “I find it outrageous that this information was not shared with me.” Someone needs to take responsibility for this disgraceful behavior.’
The mortgage consultant was struggling with menopause when she vanished.
According to experts, women experience menopause on average at the age of 51, although it can begin anywhere between the ages of 40 and 58.
During this time, the body undergoes significant hormonal changes as the ovaries cease production of estrogen and progesterone.
Among other early symptoms, this causes hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings.
Stella Creasy, Labour MP for Walthamstow, responded to the police announcement by stating, “The decision to disclose this level of detail about a missing person’s private life, with no evidence that this is aiding in her location, is deeply troubling.”
The police must clarify why any of this helps locate Nicola Bulley or advances this investigation.
Silkie Carlo, of the civil liberties organization Big Brother Watch, stated that the decision to broadcast Ms. Bulley’s health issues and hormone status was a “serious invasion of her privacy with no apparent benefit to the investigation.”
In the wake of high-profile cases involving former police officers such as Wayne Couzens and David Carrick, the treatment of women by the police has recently come under increased scrutiny, as many social media users felt the decision highlighted this issue.
Director of the Good Law Project Jo Maugham inquired how the police will defend their decision if the mother is discovered alive.
He tweeted, “If, as we all hope, Nicola Bulley is found alive, how will the police justify a breach of her confidentiality in an apparent effort to manage their own reputation?”
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Rutland Conservative MP Alicia Kearns tweeted, “I am deeply uneasy with the police releasing Nicola Bulley’s alleged “vulnerabilities” regarding menopause and alcohol.
I find it difficult to discern how this will aid police in their searches and investigations.
I can see how it would help those who wish to victim-blame or minimize.
A search expert advising the police told the newspaper that it can take up to 100 days to locate a body in a river, even though it has been nearly three weeks since Ms. Bulley vanished.
The unnamed expert stated that in some cases, the body is never discovered.
According to the expert, on the day Ms. Bulley went missing, the river was flowing at a rate of 3.8 cubic metres per second, which was sufficient to carry her over the weir and downstream.
In a comprehensive public briefing, Lancashire Police stated that it was keeping an open mind but that there was no evidence implicating anyone.
The police’s “working hypothesis” remains that Nicola fell into the river while walking her dog, despite pursuing multiple lines of inquiry.
Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith stated, ‘As soon as she was reported missing, based on the information provided by her partner Paul and a number of specific vulnerabilities that we were made aware of, Nicola was classified as a high-risk missing person.
This is typical for a missing person investigation with the information we had available. As a senior investigator, you formulate a number of hypotheses, or plausible scenarios based on the available information.
Wednesday, Assistant Chief Constable Peter Lawson of Lancashire Police stated that the force had performed a “unprecedented amount of work” in its search for Nicola.
He stated that he had visited more than 300 locations, spoken with nearly 300 individuals, and gathered approximately 1,500 pieces of information.
The chief investigator, Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith, stated at the time, “These vulnerabilities informed our decision to classify Nicola as a high-risk suspect and have remained a part of my investigation throughout.”
From HRT side effects to the symptoms that affect nearly nine out of ten women, our essential Q&A reveals the devastating impact of menopause.
The revelation that Nicola Bulley struggled with alcoholism after an early menopause has shed new light on the effects of the condition.
What exactly is menopause?
The menopause occurs when a woman has not had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months.
It typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, with the average age in the UK being 51.
It is a normal aspect of aging caused by the cessation of egg production by the ovaries. As a result, hormone levels produced by the ovaries decrease.
Possible adverse effects of HRT?
HRT replaces the hormones, such as oestrogen and progestogen, that a woman’s body stops producing during menopause. Bloating, breast tenderness or swelling, nausea, cramps, headaches, indigestion, bleeding, depression, and acne are possible side effects.
The NHS advises those who experience side effects to persevere for at least three months, as the body will become accustomed to the medication during this time.
Are benefits greater than risks?
For many women experiencing menopause symptoms, the answer is affirmative.
Women have hailed HRT as a game-changer, claiming that it has enabled them to regain energy and live an active lifestyle.
In addition to hormone replacement therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy may be offered to women with mental health symptoms. Additionally, there are moisturisers and lubricants to alleviate discomfort.
How many use the medication?
In England, nearly two million women use HRT, which is available as patches, gels, or tablets. In the past year, the use of HRT has increased by 35% as women have sought prescriptions to alleviate symptoms.
What is a premature menopause?
Approximately one in twenty women will experience the menopause before the age of 45.
Inconsistent menstrual cycles over a few years, spotting between periods, and changes in monthly bleeding may be indicators.
Early menopause can increase the likelihood of osteoporosis (weak bones), cardiovascular disease, depression, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease. Patients also tend to experience more severe menopause symptoms.
Early menopause is distinct from premature menopause, which is when a woman’s periods stop before age 40. This only affects approximately 1% of women.
Symptoms?
Nearly nine out of ten women experience symptoms. Symptoms of mental health include mood changes, such as anxiety and low self-esteem, as well as memory or concentration issues.
The physical symptoms include flushing, difficulty sleeping, heart palpitations, headaches, and muscle and joint pain. As well as weight gain and diminished sexual desire.
The onset of menopausal symptoms is usually preceded by the irregularity of menstrual cycles. This is known as the perimenopause.
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