Police cleared by information watchdog for releasing Nicola Bulley's medical history

9 May 2023, 13:36 | Updated: 9 May 2023, 14:05

Police cleared over leak of Nicola Bulley's personal information
Police cleared over leak of Nicola Bulley's personal information. Picture: Alamy/social media

By StephenRigley

Police investigating Nicola Bulley's disappearance have been cleared by the police watchdog after releasing the mother's personal medical information while search efforts for her were still ongoing.

The independent review into Lancashire Police's handling of the Bulley case has begun, the county’s police and crime commissioner has said.

The force came under heavy criticism after the 45-year-old’s body was pulled from the River Wyre in Lancashire, on February 19, more than three weeks after she was last seen on January 27.

Nicola Bulley
Nicola Bulley. Picture: social media
Nicola Bulley with partner Paul Anstell
Nicola Bulley with partner Paul Anstell. Picture: Alamy

Read More: Nicola Bulley coroner 'unimpressed with police' as they return to River Wyre but force slams 'misinformed speculation'

Read More: Specialist police investigating Nicola Bulley's death 'searching river for a specific object'

The watchdog said its probe focused on the "the actions and decisions of the police officer who attended Ms Bulley's address as part of a multi-agency team".

Nicola, 45, disappeared whilst walking her dog in St Michael’s on Wyre, Lancashire, on January 27. Her body was found in the river on February 19 by a passer-by.

During the search police called a press conference where they described her as a ‘high risk’ missing person ‘owing to some significant issues with alcohol’.

The decision to disclose her medical information was described as an ‘unusual step’ to take in a missing person investigation.

“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 over recent months. This caused some real challenges for Paul and the family.

“It is an unusual step for us to take to go into this level of detail about someone’s private life, but we felt it was important to clarify what we meant when we talked about ‘vulnerabilities’ to avoid any further speculation or misinterpretation,” Lancashire Police said in February.

Assistant Chief Constable Peter Lawson (left) and Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith of Lancashire Police updating the media in St Michael's on Wyre, Lancashire
Assistant Chief Constable Peter Lawson (left) and Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith of Lancashire Police updating the media in St Michael's on Wyre, Lancashire. Picture: Alamy

Read More: Police divers return to river where Nicola Bulley’s body was found as they investigate cause of death

The watchdog said its probe focused on the "the actions and decisions of the police officer who attended Ms Bulley's address as part of a multi-agency team".

IOPC regional director Catherine Bates said: "Our investigation has identified important learning for the force in relation to the policing role in multi-agency vehicles, which aims to assist the force in their response to similar calls in the future.

"Our thoughts remain with Ms Bulley's family and friends, and all those affected by her death."

The investigation also identified "two areas of learning" for the officer relating to when to activate their body-worn video and recording information on police systems.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

A 'major' suspected people smugger has been arrested in Amsterdam

'Major' Turkish supplier of small boats for Channel migrant crossings arrested as 'British FBI' swoop in airport

Clifton Suspension Bridge has quit Elon Musk's X after 15 years on the site.

Clifton suspension bridge dramatically departs from Twitter sparking wave of online jokes

Exclusive
Students take gap years and ‘neglect studies’ as survey suggests Edinburgh rents skyrocketed by nearly two thirds in a year.

Students take gap years and ‘neglect studies’ as survey suggests Edinburgh rents skyrocketed by nearly two thirds in a year

Two Just Stop Oil protesters charged over June's incident

Two Just Stop Oil activists charged after orange paint thrown over Stonehenge

Man arrested after reports of person carrying knives outside Houses of Parliament

Man charged with carrying offensive weapons after 'knife' incident near Parliament

Exclusive
Michael Harris died in an e-scooter crash

'My best friend was killed in e-scooter crash - I'm urging the government not to legalise them for use on roads'

Hilkiah McLeggan, 77, from Southwark, was pronounced dead at the scene in East Street, Walworth.

First picture of Walworth market 'knife rampage' victim as suspect appears in court

Police at Gainsborough Care Home in Swanage where three people died and seven people were taken to hospital

Woman arrested over Dorset care home deaths released without charge

Donald Trump with Matt Gaetz

Trump's pick for US attorney-general faced sex-trafficking investigation by department he's now set to lead

The King is celebrating his 76th birthday

William and Kate 'wish very Happy Birthday to His Majesty The King!' as Charles celebrates turning 76

The mother said her daughter was threatened with detention for wearing a poppy to school

Mother's fury after daughter 'threatened with detention for wearing poppy to school'

Which? has launched a £3billion suit against Apple.

Which? launches £3 billion lawsuit against Apple over iCloud use - as 40 million Brits could receive payout

David Coote

Referees body 'taking very seriously' video appearing to show David Coote snorting white powder

Police have released this CCTV image of a man they want to trace

Police hunt man who ‘bit woman on chest’ in London nightclub

Despite backlash, The Yellow Bittern has been a hit amongst critics.

London chef takes to Instagram to complain diners are not ordering enough and ‘restaurants are not public benches’

A female pharmacist at work in a pharmacy in South Wales

Pharmacies could close on evenings and weekends as owners protest over funding