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Nicola Bulley died from drowning, inquest told
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Lancashire police and diver Peter Faulding have been criticised in an independent review into the force’s handling of the disappearance of Nicola Bulley released this morning.
The force’s disclosure of personal information about the missing mother’s health struggles was “avoidable and unnecessary”, the review led by the College of Policing has found.
Meanwhile, the report said Lancashire Police felt some of Mr Faulding’s behaviour and activities “caused challenges to the investigation”, including unwarranted distress and false alarm for Ms Bulley’s family after he told them he thought he had found her body.
Ms Bulley drowned after accidentally falling into cold water, an inquest ruled in June. The 45-year-old had vanished after dropping off her daughters, six and nine, at school and taking her usual dog walk along the River Wyre in St Michael’s, Lancashire, on 27 January.
The search for Ms Bulley and the subsequent police investigation received nationwide coverage with huge interest on social media.
The force faced heavy criticism over its disclosure of Ms Bulley’s personal information, such as that she had “alcohol issues” and had been going through the menopause, with even the Prime Minister expressing concern.
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Key Points Nicola Bulley police review criticises force for revealing health struggles ‘Police must address damaging assumptions about female victims,’ says Women’s Committee chair Probe into press coverage of Nicola Bulley case not ruled out, says watchdog Underwater search expert criticised in review of missing mother case Relationship between police and media needs to be rebuilt, finds review Who was Nicola Bulley?
Show latest update 2 days ago ‘Most significant report into police and press relationship since Leveson Inquiry'
Rebecca Camber, chairwoman of the Crime Reporters Association said of the report into the coverage of the Nicola Bulley disappearance: “This is the most significant report into the relationship between the police and press since the Leveson Inquiry.
“To inform the public about the work of policing, a successful working relationship between the police service and the media is crucial.
“Media reporting not only helps solves crimes, but it also helps bring offenders to justice and keep communities safe.
“This is a watershed moment for policing.
“It is an opportunity for all forces to rebuild this vital relationship.
“Police must be more open and honest if they are to regain the public’s trust and confidence.”
Assistant Chief Constable Peter Lawson (right) of Lancashire Police with Detective Chief Superintendent Pauline Stables (left) speaking at a press conference after police recovered a body in the search for Nicola Bulley
(PA)
Tara Cobham 21 November 2023 13:52
2 days ago ‘Nicola’s family must and will remain at heart of everything’
National Police Chiefs’ Council chairman Gavin Stephens said: “My thoughts today remain with Nicola’s family and friends as they continue to come to terms with their loss.
“I welcome the findings of the review, and police chiefs will now work closely with the College of Policing to address the recommendations and ensure that the improvements needed are made across policing, as they extend beyond this particular case.
“All chiefs are committed to learning and improvement, and we will report progress.
“I hope that others in the media, and users of social media, also reflect on the findings and consider what changes they can make when such tragic circumstances arise.
“Nicola’s family must and will remain at the heart of everything we now do to act on the review’s findings.”
Nicola Bulley with her partner Paul Ansell
(Nicola Bulley/Facebook)
Tara Cobham 21 November 2023 13:12
2 days ago Information Commissioner says lessons should be learned
Information Commissioner John Edwards said lessons should be learned after a review found the disclosure of personal information about Nicola Bulley’s health struggles by police was “avoidable and unnecessary”.
“It’s important that lessons can be learned from this tragic case, particularly around what information can be shared during a fast-paced investigation,” Mr Edwards said.
“What should be clear from this report, which we contributed to, is that there are stringent laws protecting how personal information is used and shared in the UK.
“Police must demonstrate that sharing personal information is proportionate and necessary to protect the public and investigate crime.
“Our thoughts remain with Nicola Bulley’s family and friends”.
Tara Cobham 21 November 2023 12:51
2 days ago Relationship between police and media needs to be rebuilt, finds review
The relationship between police forces and mainstream media needs to be rebuilt in the wake of the Nicola Bulley case, a new review has found.
The report released on Tuesday into Lancashire Constabulary’s handling of the case said: “The review found the wider relationship between the police and the media to be fractured, and identified that action needs to be taken on all sides to help build trust.”
It added that the impact of social media on police investigations and public confidence is significant and must be acknowledged.
Chief Constable, Andy Marsh (left) and police and crime commissioner for Lancashire, Andrew Snowden at a press conference in Preston on the police handling of the Nicola Bulley
(PA)
Tara Cobham 21 November 2023 12:47
2 days ago Watch: Missing mother-of-two ‘could not have been found sooner’
Missing mother-of-two Nicola Bulley ‘could not have been found sooner’, a police review has found.
Ms Bulley disappeared while walking her dog on January 27, last year. Her body was found a mile from where she vanished in Wyre, nearly three weeks later.
At a press conference following a review by the National College of Policing, Andrew Snowden, Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire Police said: “I asked the college to notify me immediately if they discovered anything that would amount to action needing to be taken against any officer or employer of the constabulary for misconduct or negligence of duty or anything that would have altered the outcome of the search or indicated Nicola could have definitely be found sooner.
“There have been no such findings.”
Lucy Leeson reports:
Nicola Bulley ‘could not have been found sooner’, police review finds Missing mother-of-two Nicola Bulley ‘could not have been found sooner’, a police review has found. Ms Bulley disappeared while walking her dog on January 27, last year. Her body was found a mile from where she vanished in Wyre, nearly three weeks later. At a press conference following a review by the National College of Policing, Andrew Snowden, Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire Police said: “I asked the college to notify me immediately if they discovered anything that would amount to action needing to be taken against any officer or employer of the constabulary for misconduct or negligence of duty or anything that would have altered the outcome of the search or indicated Nicola could have definitely be found sooner. “There have been no such findings.”
Tara Cobham 21 November 2023 12:20
2 days ago Urgent action needed to rebuild police and media relationship, says Society of Editors
The College of Policing must work with the news industry to rebuild and promote a “new era of co-operation and communication” between police forces and accredited media, the Society of Editors has said.
Findings from today’s report, which the Society of Editors submitted evidence to, include a recognition that relations between the police and the media remain “fractured” and that action is needed to “rebuild” and strengthen it for the benefit of the public, it said.
Dawn Alford, Executive Director of the Society said: “The College of Policing’s review rightly recognises that urgent action is needed to re-set and rebuild the relationship between the police and the media which, for too long, has been mired by wrongful perceptions and mistrust.
Assistant Chief Constable Peter Lawson (left) and Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith of Lancashire Police update the media in St Michael's on Wyre amid the search for Nicola Bulley
(PA)
Tara Cobham 21 November 2023 12:05
2 days ago Watch: Nicola Bulley could not have been found earlier, review states
Nicola Bulley could not have been found earlier, police review states
Tara Cobham 21 November 2023 11:36
2 days ago Releasing health struggles was ‘avoidable and unnecessary’, chief constable says
The releasing of Nicola Bulley’s health struggles to the public was “avoidable and unnecessary”, a review has found.
Lancashire Police made public details of Ms Bulley’s media situation following her disappearance in January, last year. Her body was found a mile from where she vanished in Wyre, nearly three weeks later.
Chief Constable of the College of Policing Andy Marsh said: “One of the decisions which is arguably the most significant impact on public confidence was the release of personal information about Nicola’s health.
“We found that due process was followed and it was lawful but we are in doubt that releasing this info in the manner the constabulary did was both “avoidable and unnecessary”.
Lucy Leeson reports:
Releasing Nicola Bulley’s health struggles was ‘unnecessary’, says chief constable The releasing of Nicola Bulley’s health struggles to the public was “avoidable and unnecessary”, a review has found. Lancashire Police made public details of Ms Bulley’s media situation following her disappearance in January, last year. Her body was found a mile from where she vanished in Wyre, nearly three weeks later. Chief Constable of the College of Policing Andy Marsh said: “One of the decisions which is arguably the most significant impact on public confidence was the release of personal information about Nicola’s health. “We found that due process was followed and it was lawful but we are in doubt that releasing this info in the manner the constabulary did was both “avoidable and unnecessary”.
Tara Cobham 21 November 2023 11:27
2 days ago MP warns of ‘serious failings’ in how police spoke about Ms Bulley
Kate Osborne, Labour MP for Jarrow, warned “there were serious failings” in how the police spoke about Ms Bulley to the media.
“At the time I called it a deeply irresponsible decision to divulge info on Nicola Bulley, information that hindered the investigation, verged on victim blaming, adds to stigma millions face during menopause and was a serious invasion of privacy,” the politician said.
Ms Osborne argued the “police handling of this case led to mass speculation and judgements on social media - videos viewed 270 millions times” - adding “you have to question why it is acceptable for the police and so many people to comment about women's physical and mental health”.
Kate Osborne, Labour MP for Jarrow, warned “there were serious failings” in how the police spoke about Ms Bulley to the media
(PA)
Maya Oppenheim, Women’s Correspondent 21 November 2023 11:02
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2 days ago ‘Police must address damaging assumptions about female victims,’ says Women’s Committee chair
Caroline Nokes, a senior Tory MP who chairs the Women and Equalities Committee, told the Independent: "I am unsurprised at the conclusions drawn in this report. There remain significant and damaging assumptions made about female victims which clearly the police need to address and rapidly.
"Male victims are very seldom subject to this sort of victim blaming and shaming. The impact on Nicola Bulley's family must have been horrific, having her medical history dragged out and publicised in this way. It's such terrible double standards and it's driven by ingrained culture. It has to change."
Caroline Nokes, chairwoman of the Women and Equalities Committee
(PA Archive)
Maya Oppenheim, Women’s Correspondent 21 November 2023 11:01
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Lancashire police and diver criticised in Nicola Bulley case review
The 45-year-old had vanished after dropping off her daughters, six and nine, at school and taking her usual dog walk along the River Wyre in St Michael’s, Lancashire, on 27 January
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