Nicola Bulley police blasted as top cops pose for ‘crass’ smiley selfie after huge press conference
THE police force hunting for missing mum Nicola Bulley was blasted yesterday over a “crass” smiley selfie of its top cop and crime commissioner.
Andrew Snowden tweeted the photo of himself with Chief Constable Chris Rowley — 87 minutes after Lancashire Police disclosed Nicola, 45, had “significant alcohol issues” fuelled by menopause.
The snap — taken after the press conference that triggered huge criticism for revealing personal details about Nicola — was captioned: “That’s a wrap.”
Mr Rowley, 53, who has not appeared at any of the public media briefings on the missing mum, and Mr Snowden, 38, appear oblivious to the possible insensitivity of the online message.
Former Royal Protection chief and Metropolitan Police divisional commander Dai Davies, however, slammed the photo.
He said: “It’s crass, isn’t it?
“For the commissioner to come out and fail to acknowledge the seriousness and scale of this operation with such a demeaning smile beggars belief when his force was taking quite a lot of flak.
“I find him and his chief constable’s attitude crass.
“In over half a century, I have never known such a poor press and PR strategy.
“The press conference raised as many questions as it did try and answer.”
Nicola vanished on January 27 after dropping daughters Harriet, nine, and Sophia, six, off at school in St Michael’s on Wyre, Lancs.
Mortgage adviser Nicola had been with her dog beside the River Wyre, a walk she often took with her partner, Paul Ansell, 44.
He has vowed to “never give up” trying to find her and is “trying to be strong” for their family.
On Wednesday, police came in for criticism over their press release about Nicola’s recent past.
It read: “Sadly, it is clear from speaking to Paul and the family that Nicola had in the past suffered with some significant issues with alcohol which were brought on by her ongoing struggles with the menopause and that these struggles had resurfaced.
“This caused some real challenges for Paul and the family.
“As a result . . . a response car staffed by both police and health professionals attended a report of concern for welfare at Nicola’s home address on January 10.
“No one has been arrested in relation to this incident, but it is being investigated.”
Following the disclosure, Mr Snowden posted his smiley photo tweet and said he and the chief constable had an evening catch-up “along with briefings on current major operations”.
He refused to comment on the selfie but clarified the case was “under the direction and control of the chief constable” and not him.
Mr Snowden, who also chaired the accountability board on police performance measures and efficiency last Wednesday, has so far stood by the Lancashire force’s handling of the operation.
He said: “The police are being as transparent as they can be on what is an incredibly sensitive and complex case — this includes continued external support from the National Crime Agency and others as appropriate.”
Home Secretary Suella Braverman, however, has demanded “an explanation” over the force’s statement and she met Chief Constable Rowley on Friday.
A source said she discussed with him and his senior team the handling of the investigation into Nicola’s disappearance.
The source added: “She outlined her concerns over the disclosure of Ms Bulley’s personal information.
“She also listened to the force’s explanation. The Home Secretary has asked to be kept updated on the investigation.”
There was no visible police presence on the ground in St Michael’s on Wyre early yesterday.
A police search helicopter was spotted overhead later in the day.
Stephen Roberts, the former director of standards at the Met Police, said it was possible the case could remain unsolved.
Asked by Sky News if police may need to accept Nicola may never be found, he replied: “Absolutely that’s the case.”
He added: “We can think back over decades to missing persons cases where the person who disappeared was never found.
“Sometimes that is so. Sometimes there simply isn’t any evidence, any physical evidence, any human evidence of what has happened to an individual.
“Sometimes, tragically, we and families are left with that mystery that is never solved.”
Missing persons expert Charlie Hedges has suggested Nicola could have “gone off-grid”.
He said the River Wyre had been searched with “no outcome” or indication Nicola was there so “we need to keep our minds open to all options”.
Mr Hedges, who once worked for the National Crime Agency, added: “I mean, nobody goes missing without a reason and understanding what’s going on in someone’s life is really, really important.
“All lines of action need to be followed. It may be that she just took the decision to go off.
“It’s not that easy to go off the grid in today’s world.”
Lancashire Police, meanwhile, have declined to comment on the smiley selfie.