A former detective has mentioned that Lancashire Police have “completely destroyed” Nicola Bulley’s status by revealing her struggles with alcohol.
Martyn Underhill advised Sky News that he had by no means “seen such a level of detail” launched in a lacking individuals case and added that one needed to ask why officers have been releasing it now.
Ms Bulley has been lacking since 27 January after vanishing when she took her canine for a stroll by the River Wyre in Lancashire.
Speaking to Kay Burley, Mr Underhill, who was a detective concerned within the Sarah Payne case, mentioned: “If they had released that on day one, it would completely changed the dynamic and the coverage of this story and, perhaps, prevented it becoming the juggernaut story it now is.
“I’m confused why they’ve achieved what they’ve achieved now.
“You can understand why some people are saying it’s victim blaming to protect their own reputation.
“I am unable to see the way it progresses the case any additional ahead now we’re three weeks in, to be frank.”
Having apparently found no trace of the mother-of-two for more than 20 days, police yesterday revealed that they had classified Ms Bulley as “excessive danger” owing to “a variety of particular vulnerabilities”.
After initially refusing to elaborate on what those vulnerabilities were at a press conference, Lancashire Police subsequently released a statement saying: “Nicola had previously suffered with some important points with alcohol which have been introduced on by her ongoing struggles with the menopause and that these struggles had resurfaced over latest months.”
“This caused some real challenges for Paul and the family,” it added in a reference to Ms Bulley’s companion, Paul Ansell.
Previous police home name
The police additionally revealed that they’d been at Ms Bulley’s home the week earlier than she disappeared to test her welfare which Mr Underhill agreed this may have recommended one other line of inquiry.
He mentioned: “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 home abuse situation or a drunken individual situation it was a psychological well being incident which Nicola was struggling.
“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 perceive in some methods why they did not launch it then as it could fully destroy her status.
“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?”
Source: information.sky.com”