Suella Braverman orders Nicola Bulley cops to explain why they revealed her personal battles with alcohol & menopause
COPS searching for missing mum Nicola Bulley were tonight ordered to explain to the Home Secretary why they revealed her personal battles with booze and the menopause.
Suella Braverman demanded answers from Lancashire Police after being “concerned” by the shock disclosures.
Confidence in the investigation – now on Day 22 – was tonight on the brink as the under-fire force also referred themselves to the police watchdog and now face a formal probe.
Detectives divulged 45-year-old Nicola was classed as a “high risk” missing person the moment partner Paul Ansell reported her disappearance on January 27.
At a Wednesday press conference they said her issues with drinking had been “brought on by her ongoing struggles with the menopause”.
And they even said police had been sent to Nicola’s house weeks before she vanished.
But the move was roundly condemned by MPs, celebs and former detectives.
Ms Braverman was tonight given a full briefing by the officers in charge as to their reasoning.
A source close to the Home Secretary said: “The Home Secretary was concerned by the disclosure of Nicola Bulley’s personal information by Lancashire Police and asked the force for an explanation, which was received this evening.”
Senior Tory MP Alicia Kearns blasted: “I am deeply uncomfortable with the police releasing Nicola Bulley’s so-called ‘vulnerabilities’ on menopause and alcohol.
“I struggle to ascertain how this will assist police in their search & investigations. I do see how it would assist those wishing to victim-blame or diminish.”
It comes as…
- Cops reveal ‘significant issues’ with alcohol & menopause had caused partner Paul Ansell ‘real challenges’
- Police say they’re still probing ‘incident’ that saw police called to mum’s home before she vanished
- An influencer has been arrested and fined after joining the search
- Follow our blog for the latest news
Labour backbencher Stella Creasy added: “The decision to disclose this level of detail on a missing person’s private life, with no evidence that this is assisting in finding her, is deeply troubling.
“The police need to be much clearer as to why any of this helps find Nicola Bulley or support this investigation.”
Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said she was “concerned” at the “very unusual” disclosure and urged Lancashire Police to offer their reasons.
Cabinet Minister Robert Jenrick admitted they were “unusual comments” but said “we have to let the police get on with it”.
But asked what they thought about the cops’ intervention, a relative said: “It’s wrong what’s been put out there.”
The cousin, who lives in Essex and asked not to be named, said: “All of mine and my wife’s family think it’s terrible and wrong what’s been said.”
School-run parent Nadia Fell took to Facebook and called the police “bang out of order”.
She also wrote: “I’m absolutely furious.”
Another friend Ann Hodge shared her “frustration” and commented: “Couldn’t agree more.”
Now under-fire Lancashire Police face a probe by the Independent Office for Police Conduct for spilling the info.
A spokesman said: “This afternoon we received a referral from Lancashire Constabulary regarding contact the force had with Nicola Bulley on 10 January, prior to her disappearance.
“We are assessing the available information to determine whether an investigation into that contact may be required and if so, who should conduct that investigation.”
Criminal investigator Mark Williams-Thomas, who helped expose Jimmy Savile, said the detectives’ strategy was “totally wrong”.
Former Detective Chief Inspector Martyn Underhill described the move as victim-blaming.
He said: I’m amazed it hasn’t been released before and, of course, on 3 February in their press conference they actually said there were ‘no significant issues involving Nicola’s health’.
“I can understand in some ways why they didn’t release it then as it would completely destroy her reputation.
“It’s a big move to take but if you aren’t going to take it at the start of the investigation, why do it now?”
Search expert Peter Faulding, who was drafted in by the family to find her, said he was not informed about her “vulnerabilities” and now – following the latest revelation – believes she could be in the river.
He said he would have used different tactics had he been aware of her struggles.
Medics also piled in with NHS mental health chief Zoe Billingham accusing the force of “prioritising protecting its reputation over finding Nicola”.
The showbiz world also recoiled with presenter Fern Britton railing: “I am uncomfortable with the latest news suggesting that Nicola Bulley has an issue with alcohol and menopause.
“The undertone is that she may be ‘a bit unstable’ or perhaps even ‘not in her right mind’.
“Too easy to write a woman off like this. What lies behind it?”
DJ Liz Kershaw said her own “traumatic experience” made her believe Lancashire Police “are absolutely useless”.
“But I could never have anticipated how disgusted I would be that they now try to excuse their own failings by labelling Nicola Bulley as a menopausal alcoholic.”
And Loose Women panellist Denise Welch raged: “It’s an absolute disgrace!”
Former chief crown prosecutor for the North West, Nazir Afzal, said the statement “should not have been issued” as it gives “fuel to the victim-blamers, armchair sleuths & conspiracy theorists”.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are with Nicola Bulley’s family at this incredibly difficult time.
“The Home Secretary and Policing Minister are receiving regular updates from Lancashire Police on its handling of this case, including why personal details about Nicola was briefed out at this stage of the investigation.”