16 February 2023 , 08:45
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Labour's shadow Home Secretary says she will be asking Lancashire Police to explain themselves after releasing sensitive information about missing mum Nicola Bulley.
The force has faced a backlash after releasing a statement yesterday saying that the 45-year-old had experienced "significant issues with alcohol".
Yvette Cooper said she had "quite significant concerns" about the move and would be raising the matter with Lancashire Police.
Nicola has not been seen since January 27 while she was walking her dog Willow at St Michael's on Wyre, with her disappearance sparking a huge police search.
At a press conference yesterday, police said they were considering Nicola's "vulnerabilities" - and later issued a further statement claiming her alcohol use had caused some "real challenges" for her family.
Mum appeared 'completely normal' moments before vanishing while walking dog
Shadow Home Secretary said she would be speaking to Lancashire Police (Getty Images)She told Sky News: "It's really unusual, it does raise some quite significant concerns."
Ms Cooper continued: "I do have a lot of questions and concerns about that.
"I'd want to speak directly to Lancashire Police about their reasons for doing so before commenting further."
She then reiterated again: "It does raise some quite significant concerns."
Asked by host Kay Burley whether she would be contacting the force, she replied: "I will."
Lancashire Police said officers had been called to Nicola's home 17 days before she vanished due to an incident that is still being investigated.
It said it had shared the personal information because it was "important to clarify what we meant when we talked about vulnerabilities to avoid any further speculation or misinterpretation".
Lancashire Police said: "Sadly, it is clear from speaking to Paul (Ansell, Nicola's partner) 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."
They went on: "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.
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Labour MP Stella Creasy blasted the police statement (PA)"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.
"We have explained to Nicola’s family why we have released this further information and we would ask that their privacy is respected at this difficult time."
But the update has been slammed by many, including Labour MP Stella Creasy.
She tweeted: "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."
Former Chief Prosecutor Nazir Afzal wrote on Twitter: "I have just seen the statement from police about Nicola Bulley & her alleged vulnerability.
"It should NOT have been issued It does NOTHING to find her It does, however, give fuel to the victim blamers, armchair sleuths & conspiracy theorists We don’t need ANY of them. The replies indicate she isn't alone with her concern."