16 February 2023 , 11:18
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Police have "completely destroyed" Nicola Bulley's reputation to "protect their own" after publicising her struggles with alcohol, a former detective has said.
The mortgage adviser, 45, was last seen on January 27 while walking her springer spaniel Willow in the village of St Michael's on the Wyre in Lancashire.
Yesterday, police held a press conference where they said for the first time that the mum-of-two was categorised as "high risk" due to "a number of specific vulnerabilities".
At the time, they did not elaborate and sparked further speculation despite trying to use the press conference to squash any unhelpful theories.
Nicola Bulley has been missing since January 27 (strava)
Nicola with partner Paul Ansell and their childrenHours later, the force stated on Facebook that Ms Bulley "in the past suffered with some significant issues with alcohol which were brought on by her ongoing struggles with the menopause".
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They added that these issues had "resurfaced in recent months".
This has since led to outrage from MPs and confusion from former police officers.
This morning, Martyn Underhill told Sky News that he had never "seen such a level of detail" released in a missing persons case.
He also questioned why officers were releasing it now.
Police are still searching for Nicola Bulley (Lancashire Constabulary / SWNS.C)Speaking to Kay Burley, Mr Underhill said: "You can understand why some people are saying it's victim blaming to protect their own reputation.
"I can't see how it progresses the case any further forward now we're three weeks in, to be frank."
Police also said in their updated statement: "As a result of those issues, a response car staffed by both police and health professionals attended a report of concern for welfare at Nicola’s home address on January 10th.
"No one has been arrested in relation to this incident, but it is being investigated."
This empty bench on the River Wyre is where Nicola's phone was found (Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)Mr Underhill commented: "Particularly since they say it was a police car with police and health professionals, the subtext of that is that this was a mental health car.
"Clearly this wasn't a domestic abuse scenario or a drunken person scenario - it was a mental health incident which Nicola was suffering."
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He added: "That is crucial, really, 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.
The village of St Michael's on Wyre. where Nicola went missing (PA)"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?"
The police statement had also sparked fury from MPs.
Labour's Stella Creasy said: "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."
Conservative MP Alicia Kearns said she was "deeply uncomfortable" with the police releasing details about Ms Bulley's "so called 'vulnerabilities' on menopause and alcohol".
"I struggle to ascertain how this will assist Police in their search & investigations," she wrote, adding, "I do see how it would assist those wishing to victim-blame or diminish."