16 February 2023 , 13:59
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The Loose Women panel turned heated on Thursday morning as the presenters discussed the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of missing mother Nicola Bulley
The 45-year-old went missing last month during a riverside dog walk in St Michael's on Wyre and Lancashire Police yesterday announced the mother-of-two had ‘significant issues’ with alcohol brought on by her ongoing struggles with menopause.
Loose Women host Kaye Adams was joined by Kelle Bryan, Jane Moore and Linda Robson in the ITV studio as the lunchtime show discussed the decision to release the fresh information.
The police have been criticised by some for disclosing such personal details about Nicola, but former Hollyoaks star Kelle stressed the importance of the public holding the police to account.
Kelle raised the low trust in the police, in the wake of several high profile cases of failings, most recently with convicted rapist Metropolitan police officer David Carrick.
Mum appeared 'completely normal' moments before vanishing while walking dog
Kelle raised the low trust in the police (ITV)She said: “People have every right to ask those questions. I’m not talking about keyboard warriors, I'm talking about those people who come from an informed place.”
She added: “As a member of the public, we are entitled to ask those questions,” to which Kaye then cut in to ask whether it was helpful during the ongoing investigation.
Kelle maintained it was, given the police force’s track record, adding: “Some of it’s positive and some it hasn’t been so positive.
“We can look at the Stephen Lawrence case, with a plethora of failings by the police. That family was right to ask those questions. Asking questions is what helps to solve cases.
“I’m not saying it’s right to put things on social media, turn up at the scene or attack the partner, but I do think we have a right to ask those questions.
The 45-year-old went missing last month during a riverside dog walk (Lancashire Constabulary / SWNS.C)“If we look at David Carrick of Wayne Couzens – there are so many cases where the police have had catastrophic failings.”
However, fellow panellist Jane pushed back and noted there are hundreds of thousands of police officers in the country, as she started to add: “To besmirch them all–” before Kelle cut in saying: “I didn’t besmirch them all.”
Jane hit back saying: “You can’t take two cases,” but Kelle cut in: “I didn’t take two, I took three.”
Jane took the conversation back to Nicola Bulley as she praised the work of officers on the ground, concluding: “I think we have to trust them.”
Kelle insisted: “I’ve not in any way said anything about this case in terms of how they are handling it. What I am saying is we have a right to ask questions.”
Devastated parents promise to never stop looking for mum-of-two who vanished
Jane praised the work of officers on the ground in the Nicola Bulley case (ITV)Host Kaye then cut in to take back the reins on the conversation, saying: “I suppose what I might question is whether or not that is useful when it’s a live case, when an investigation is ongoing and everything is critical. I’m not convinced that everybody weighing in –”
Yet Kelle again cut in, apologising to Kaye as she said: “I’m sorry, Kaye, but if Doreen Lawrence hadn't asked the questions she asked at that time, there’s no way that would –”
Jane again jumped back into the fray as she pointed out Doreen Lawrence was ‘perfectly entitled’ to do so as a member of the family affected by the case.
Jane added: “It’s not Mrs Norrings in Newcastle asking, when she has no involvement in the case whatsoever,” as Kaye agreed: “The family absolutely have every right to question an investigation but the whole world and its wife are weighing in on this one. That’s when I wonder how useful it is.”