Nicola Bulley – latest: Police confirm body is missing mother as family condemn media

Police searching for Nicola Bulley have confirmed that the body found on Sunday in the River Wyre is that of the missing mother-of-two.

In a statement read out by Lancashire Police at a press conference on Monday evening, the 45-year-old’s family urged that the press and members of the public “must be held accountable” for false accusations, misquotations and “vilifying” Nicola Bulley’s friends and relatives.

“It is shameful they have acted in this way. Leave us alone now,” the family said. “Do the press and other media channels and so-called professionals not know when to stop? These are our lives and our children’s lives.”

The family said that they “will never forget” the mother-of-two who was “the centre of our world”, adding: “She was the one who made our lives so special and nothing will cast a shadow over that.”

Ms Bulley’s partner Paul Ansell had earlier told Sky News of his “agony”, adding: “We’re all together, we have to be strong.”

Key Points

• Diving expert defends search after body found in Nicola Bulley case

• Nicola Bulley’s partner in ‘agony’ after divers find body in river

• Diving expert breaks silence after body found in Nicola Bulley search

• Investigation into whether police disclosed personal issues ‘inappropriately’

• ‘Questions must be asked’ about Lancashire Police’s decision-making

Press and public ‘must be held accountable’ over Nicola Bulley case, say family

17:42 , Andy Gregory

The press and members of the public “must be held accountable” for false accusations, misquotations and “vilifying” Nicola Bulley’s friends and relatives, her family has said.

In a statement read out at a press conference by Lancashire Police, they said: “It saddens us to think that one day we will have to explain to them [Nicola Bulley’s two daughters] that the press and members of the public accused their dad of wrongdoing, misquoted and vilified friends and family.

“This is absolutely appalling, they have to be held accountable. This cannot happen to another family. We tried last night to take in what we had been told in the day. Only to have Sky News and ITV making contact with us directly when we expressly asked for privacy.

They again have taken it upon themselves to run stories about us to sell papers and increase their own profits. It is shameful they have acted in this way. Leave us alone now.

“Do the press and other media channels and so-called professionals not know when to stop? These are our lives and our children’s lives. To those who genuinely helped and supported us privately we thank you.”

Nicola Bulley was ‘centre of our world’, say family

17:40 , Andy Gregory

Nicola Bulley’s family have said they “will never forget” the mother-of-two who was “the centre of our world”.

In a statement read out by Lancashire Police, they said: “Our family liaison officers have had to confirm our worst fears today. We will never be able to comprehend what Nikki had gone through in her last moments and that will never leave us.

“We will never forget Nikki – how could we? She was the centre of our world. She was the one who made our lives so special and nothing will cast a shadow over that.

“Our girls will get the support they need from the people who love them the most.”

Case now being handled by coroner, police announce

17:35 , Andy Gregory

The case is now being handled by His Majesty’s Coroner, police have said.

Body found in River Wyre confirmed to be Nicola Bulley, police say

17:33 , Andy Gregory

Police have confirmed that the body found in the River Wyre on Sunday is Nicola Bulley.

“Sadly we are now able to confirm that yesterday we recovered Nicola Bulley from the River Wyre. Nicola’s family have been informed and are of course devastated,” a senior officer said.

“Our thoughts are with them at this time, as well as with all her loved ones and the wider community.”

No 10 declines to comment on possibility of external review into Lancashire Police

17:19 , Andy Gregory

Downing Street has declined to comment on the possibility of an independent external review of Lancashire Police and its handling of the Nicola Bulley case.

Rishi Sunak’s official spokesperson said: “You have heard the concerns of the prime minister before.

“He welcomed the fact there was an internal investigation, I think the first step is to allow that to take place and see what the findings are, so I am not going to comment before that. We think it is appropriate that this investigation is taking place.”

“We will wait and see what the findings of that are before commenting further on the investigation, given it is a live case,” the spokesman added.

In pictures: Mounted police patrol in St Michael’s on Wyre after body found

17:00 , Emily Atkinson

It’s women’s fault when things go wrong, says former Met chief

16:20 , Emily Atkinson

Nusrit Mehtab, a former superintendent for the Metropolitan Police, has said she “did not understand” how disclosing elements of Nicola Bulley’s personal life “was going to help find her body or find her alive.”

Speaking to Sky News, Ms Mehtab said: “If that comes out, and you’re already feeling isolated, and had she left on her own accord, does it make you all of a sudden want to come back and make that entry easier?”

“I think that it’s victim blaming and every time stuff happens with women - we haven’t heard about a man down the pub with erectile dysfunction that has pints every day. We don’t see those headlines because it’s always our fault.

“It’s our fault when things go wrong, and it always puts the lens back on women.”

Lancashire Police will have to ‘justify’ disclosures relating to Nicola Bulley’s private life, says former police chief

16:00 , Emily Atkinson

Lancashire Police will have to “justify” its decision to disclose details of Nicola Bulley’s struggles with alcohol and menopause, a former police chief has said.

Ex-chief constable of Greater Manchester Police Sir Peter Fahy added: “They felt it was in the interest, and the public interest, of the investigation to release that information. I don’t know if it was right or wrong.

“I think the level of criticism has been completely unjustified,” he told Sky News.

“There’s a wider issue here about when officers are under this degree of press interest... but particularly all the issues on social media, which I know are very difficult to counter.”

Sir Peter also said there was pressure on detectives by members of the public travelling to St Michael’s on Wyre to conduct their own searches.

He said that the force’s communication strategy will be accountable to the region’s police and crime commissioner, and that “huge amounts of personal details are released about a person’s personal medical, mental health background” during an inquest.

Serious questions’ for Nicola Bulley probe after dog walkers find body 23 days after disappearance

15:30 , Emily Atkinson

Police investigating the disappearance of Nicola Bulley have to answer “serious questions” over why it took more than three weeks to find a body in the River Wyre, experts have said.

Lancashire Police have not yet confirmed whether the person, who was found by dog walkers on Sunday morning, is Ms Bulley and formal identification is ongoing, but her family have been made aware of developments.

The body was found just a mile from where the 45-year-old was last seen, walking her dog after dropping her two daughters off at school on 27 January.

Our home affairs editor Lizzie Dearden reports:

‘Serious questions’ for Bulley probe after dog walkers find body 23 days later

Map of area where Nicola Bulley went missing

15:10 , Emily Atkinson

ICYMI: Lancashire Police statement in full as divers find body in search for Nicola Bulley

14:50 , Emily Atkinson

Divers searching for missing mother-of-two Nicola Bulley have found a body in the river, police have confirmed.

Lancashire Police has been carrying out an extensive search since Nicola Bulley vanished three weeks ago, with the help of private search teams.

The force earlier this week doubled down on the theory that the mother-of-two fell into the river.

Martha McCardy has Lancashire Police’s statement in full below:

Nicola Bulley: Lancashire Police statement in full as divers find body

Missing dog walker Nicola Bulley’s final text before she disappeared revealed

14:25 , Emily Atkinson

Missing dog walker Nicola Bulley’s final text before she “vanished into thin air” has been revealed.

The desperate search for missing mother Nicola Bulley may have come to an end after a body was found in the river near where she vanished. A man and woman walking their dog on Sunday morning found the body and called police.

The 45-year-old was last seen walking her dog by the river in St Michael’s on Wyre, Lancashire, on Friday 27 January. She was still logged into a Microsoft Teams call which had ended at 9.30am when her phone was recovered.

Eleanor Noyce reports:

Missing dog walker Nicola Bulley’s final text message revealed

14:00 , Emily Atkinson

More messages and flowers for missing Nicola Bulley are pictured tied to a bridge crossing the River Wyre, in St Michael's on Wyre, following the discovery of a body.

Watch: Diver Peter Faulding says he is the ‘fall guy’ after body found in river

13:35 , Emily Atkinson

Timeline of Nicola Bulley disappearance

13:25 , Emily Atkinson

A body has been found in the search for missing woman Nicola Bulley after a tip-off by members of the public.

The 45-year-old, was last seen on Friday 27 January at around 9.20am while walking her dog alongside the River Wyre in St Michael’s on Wyre, Lancashire.

Ms Bulley’s phone was found, apparently still connected to a Microsoft Teams work call, on a park bench nearby, along with the harness and lead for her dog, Willow, a springer spaniel.

Here is a timeline of how the case has unfolded:

Timeline of Nicola Bulley disappearance as body found in search for missing woman

Rumours, a river and a private diver: How the three-week search for Nicola Bulley unfolded

13:10 , Emily Atkinson

The desperate search for missing mother Nicola Bulley may have come to an end after a body was found in the river near where she vanished.

A tip-off by walkers led specialist divers to find a body on Sunday, and although it has not yet been formally identified, Ms Bulley’s family has been informed of the discovery.

It comes after three weeks of desperate searches of the river and surrounding area, while social-media sleuths spread conspiracy theories and others descended on St Michael’s on Wyre – with some even filming through villagers’ windows.

Martha McHardy reports:

Rumours, a river and a private diver: How the search for Nicola Bulley unfolded

12:43 , Emily Atkinson

The co-founder of a social justice organisation has hit out at police for allowing social media to “dictate” their handling of the Nicola Bulley case.

Speaking to Sky News this morning, Reclaim These Streets co-founder Jamie Klinger said it was “sad that social media aspects seem to dictate Lancashire Police’s theories and the way they were dealing with it, rather than the other way around.

“They don’t have to respond to TikTok detectives. They really needed to do their investigation independently,” she insisted.

She later intoned that disclosing details of Ms Bulley’s private life “didn’t help find her and didn’t help her family.”

She said that for the rest of Ms Bulley’s childrens’ lives “any time they Google or see something about their mum it will be attached to a stigma about alcohol and the menopause.”

Ms Klinger then went on to accuse police of “dialling back efforts” to remove the stigma from menopause.

The women still missing as police continue search for Nicola Bulley

12:20 , Emily Atkinson

As the search for Nicola Bulley continues, my colleague Maryam Zakir-Hussain takes a look at the cases of other women who remain missing:

The women still missing as police continue search for Nicola Bulley

Braverman not ‘wholly satisfied’ with force’s response to private life disclosures

12:01 , Emily Atkinson

The Home Secretary has said she was not “wholly satisfied” with the response of Lancashire Police’s chief constable to questions about their decision to release elements of Nicola Bulley’s private life into the public domain.

Asked if there would be an external review into the police’s handling of the case, Suella Braverman said: “I want to put on record my deepest thoughts and sympathies for the family of Nicola Bulley, it must be a horrendous experience that they are going through right now.

“We need to let the police carry out and conclude their investigation. I did have concerns earlier in the week about some of the elements relating to the release of personal information of Nicola Bulley into the public domain.

“I raised those concerns with the chief constable - I wasn’t wholly satisfied, I have to say, with some of the responses I got but it is a matter for the police themselves.

“There are some investigations ongoing, looking into how the investigation has been handled and we must let that carry out its own process.

“We must just let the investigation conclude, and then we will see what the investigations and inquiries come back with.”

Social media firms ‘allowed’ conspiracies about Nicola Bulley investigation, ex-Met chief superintendent says

11:41 , Emily Atkinson

Social media ‘allowed’ Nicola Bulley conspiracies, ex-Met chief superintendent says

Starmer urges critics to await full review into handling of Nicola Bulley case

11:20 , Emily Atkinson

Sir Keir Starmer has urged people to await the full review of the police’s handling of Nicola Bulley’s disappearance before coming to a judgment.

Speaking to broadcasters in Grays, Essex, the Labour leader said: “First and foremost I think all of us will be thinking about the family and the circumstances unfolding and the agony that they’re going through.

“Obviously we want the investigation to be now completed so we can get to the absolute bottom of this, there will be a review so if there have been mistakes along the way, the review will get to the bottom of those mistakes.

“Let the investigation go its full length now, let’s have that review and then we can see whether the judgments were the right judgments.

“In my experience when I was director of public prosecutions very often where there is a review, some judgments which at the time didn’t seem particularly appropriate, are capable of being explained.”

Watch: Suspected area of River Wyre where body was found during search for Nicola Bulley

11:00 , Emily Atkinson

‘Reeds were not part of our remit’: Diving expert defends search after body found in Nicola Bulley case

10:40 , Emily Atkinson

A diving expert involved in the search for missing mother Nicola Bulley has defended his team’s involvement in the investigation.

A body was found in the River Wyre by two dog walkers not far from where the 45-year-old went missing three weeks ago.

Peter Faulding, head of Specialist Group International, led a team of experts and divers to assist Lancashire Police in searching the river using specialist sonar equipment.

My colleague Thomas Kingsley has a full rundown of Mr Faulding’s latest comments:

‘Reeds were not our remit’: Diving expert defends Nicola Bulley search

Peter Faulding stands by assertion: ‘If Nicola was in the river, I would find her'

10:20 , Emily Atkinson

A forensic expert whose search for the missing mother-of-two fell short of locating her says he stands by his previous comments that “if Nicola was in the river, I would find her.”

Peter Faulding, whose name has cropped up repeatedly in headlines in recent weeks, also insisted that he did not draft in his private team of divers “for any limelight”, but “simply” to aid Ms Bulley’s family.

In a statement, Peter Fauling said: “My team and I at SGI did all we could to assist this family with only our best intentions. I am sure I can say this of everyone who has been involved in this difficult search.

“I did not volunteer my services, my equipment or my team for any limelight or publicity, I simply wanted to lend extra resources to help a family in despair and this was supported by Lancashire Police.

“However, there has been unprecedented media and public interest in this case and at every turn, I was asked for an update on my own search, which I provided with only best intentions. Support for my assistance and my actions have been overwhelmingly positive although I am aware of that some negativity has been towards myself and my team.

He went on: “SGI is the recognised underwater search team for Essex, Surrey, Sussex, Kent, Hampshire and Thames Valley police who we have worked closely alongside for many years. Unfortunately there are few police underwater search teams left. Each year we locate and recover many unfortunate victims and bring them back to their families.

“Sadly, for circumstances out of our control, and as hard as we try, sometimes we are unable to locate the missing person.”

Forensic expert defends search team’s operations after body found

10:00 , Emily Atkinson

The forensic expert who assisted police in the search for Nicola Bulley has defended his team’s operations after a body was found near to where the mother-of-two went missing.

Peter Faulding led a private team of divers to assist police in the search for Ms Bulley, using sonar technology to see if anything was in the river that could help with the hunt, but came up empty-handed.

In a statement shared this morning, Mr Faulding first offered his “thoughts” to “the family and friends of Nicola Bulley at this very difficult time”, despite formal identification of the body not having taken place.

He went on: “The SGI underwater search team was tasked with searching the river upsteam of weir in the non tidal part of the river, past the bench where Nicola’s phone was found and a mile upstream past this point. For three days, using high frequency side scan sonar, we thoroughly search the riverbed and can categorically confirm that Nicola was not laying on the riverbed on the days that we searched.

“We did search the stretch of river where Nicola was found for four hours on our first day and then upstream past the weir on the subsequent two days. The police underwater search teams and land search teams were searching for three full weeks and were also unable to find Nicola.

“Unfortunately it was a member of the public that made a grim discovery, unconfirmed as yet to be Nicola,” Mr Faulding said.

He went on: “Sadly, the discovery was not found in the river but in the reeds at the side of the river which was not part of our remit as the side scan sonar does not penetrate reeds above or below the water. A riverbank and wade search would be the only way to search this area and we were not involved or tasked with that search.

“The difference between these two search areas has caused a lot of confusion and unfair criticism towards myself and my team at Specialist Group International (SGI).”

Nicola Bulley case a ‘watershed’ moment for policing, says former chief

09:40 , Emily Atkinson

As efforts continue to identify the body found near to where Nicola Bulley went missing, we hear more from Bob Eastwood’s interview with Today...

The former chief superintendent for Lancashire Police says he believes the case of the missing mother-of-two to be a “watershed moment” in how police deal with significant public and media interest.

Mr Eastwood said it would be especially crucial in how police deal in the future with those that “do not represent media organisations.”

He also hit out at “the use of so-called specialists who I think in this case imposed themselves on the investigation and Nicola‘s family.

“I’m hoping their consciences are currently in overdrive,” Mr Eastwood said, accusing them of having “fed into a lot of people’s obsession”.

He also told BBC Radio 4: “Only yesterday there were people purporting to be the media that quite clearly weren’t and they were climbing over the fence to take pictures of the body that the police were recovering. This is something else.”

Lancashire Police’s dislosure of Nicola Bulley’s private life made former chief ‘cringe’

09:20 , Emily Atkinson

Detectives’ decision to disclose details of Nicola Bulley’s personal life was the “right” move, the former chief superintendent of Lancashire Police said — but admitted the initial release made him “cringe”.

Asked about the personal information the force released about Ms Bulley’s struggles with alcohol and menopause, Bob Eastwood told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “When I first heard the police had released that, I cringed, but I didn’t say anything, I didn’t put anything out on my own social media because I didn’t know the full facts and didn’t know why they had taken those steps.

“Some hours later the family gave a press release indicating they were aware the information was to be given out and they’d given the information out because somebody had sold a story to the press and that information was going to be given out as an exclusive.

“Knowing policing as I do, I suspect that they made that decision in order to prevent somebody releasing it in that way. It was unpleasant information to hear but I think in all the circumstances, from what I know and believe, I think the police were right to do so.”

He added that the move “took away” a story that was going to create “even more dramas” that police have had to deal with “on a colossal scale” in the case.

Watch: Everything we know about Nicola Bulley’s disappearance so far

09:00 , Emily Atkinson

Where was Nicola Bulley last seen?

08:40 , Emily Atkinson

A body has been found in the River Wyre near where mother-of-two Nicola Bulley went missing

Lancashire Police said a formal identification is yet to be carried out but the 45-year-old mortgage adviser’s family have been informed.

The body was found around a mile from where Ms Bulley was last seen walking her dog in St Michael’s on Wyre.

On the morning of 27 January, Ms Bulley left her home with her two daughters, aged six and nine, dropping them off at school and engaging in a brief conversation with another parent around 15 minutes later.

Martha McCardy has the full story:

Where was Nicola Bulley last seen before she went missing?

08:17 , Emily Atkinson

Yellow ribbons and daffodils adorn the bench and bridge near to where Nicols Bulley went missing

Police recovered a body from the River Wyre on Sunday as the police investigation to find Ms Bulley, 45, who disappeared while walking her dog along the banks of the River Wyre, continues.

Body found by dog walkers

07:40 , Rich Booth

Two dog walkers found what is believed to be the body of Nicola Bulley just a mile down river from where she went missing, it is understood.

Despite a huge police land, water and air search over the last three weeks it was a man and a woman who spotted a body in the water.

A police spokesman said officers were called to reports of a body in the river close to Rawcliffe Road at around 11.35am on Sunday.

A man was overheard telling police: “It was a body. It is down there. It was a body of a woman. There is definitely a body down there”.

Read the full story.

Where was Nicola Bulley last seen?

07:00 , Namita Singh

A body has been found in the River Wyre near where mother-of-two Nicola Bulley went missingLancashire Police said a formal identification is yet to be carried out but the 45-year-old mortgage adviser’s family have been informed.

The body was found around a mile from where Ms Bulley was last seen walking her dog in St Michael’s on Wyre.

Report:

Where was Nicola Bulley last seen before she went missing?

Nicola Bulley’s friend describes her as ‘the most amazing mum’

06:40 , Namita Singh

A friend of Nicola Bulley has described the missing mother-of-two as “the most amazing mum ever” as she urged online critics to stop spreading false rumours.

Rishi Sunak and his home secretary have expressed “concern” over Lancashire Police’s decision to disclose private details about “specific vulnerabilities” that saw them immeiately label the 45-year-old a high-risk missing person after her disappearance on 27 January.

The force revealed on Wednesday that Ms Bulley had been struggling with alcohol use and symptoms of the peri-menopause, prompting alarm that the disclosure could spark pernicious false rumours on social media.

In comments reported by the Mail on Sunday, her friend Nadia Fell said: “Nikki is a normal mum. We all have ups and downs and being a mum is hard. Every day is a lesson. The menopause can be really tough.”

Report:

Nicola Bulley’s friend describes her as ‘the most amazing mum’

Lancashire Police statement in full as divers find body in search for Nicola Bulley

06:20 , Namita Singh

Divers searching for missing mother-of-two Nicola Bulley have found a body in the river, police have confirmed.

The 45-year-old vanished in St Michael’s on Wyre while walking her dog after dropping her daughters at school on 27 January.

Lancashire Police confirmed on Sunday a body had been recovered from the River Wyre, near where Ms Bulley went missing.

While no formal identification has been carried out yet, Ms Bulley’s family have been informed of the discovery.

Read Lancashire Police’s statement in full in this report:

Nicola Bulley: Lancashire Police statement in full as divers find body

Lancashire police under inquiry for revealing private information

06:00 , Namita Singh

The investigation into Nicola Bulley‘s disappearance has attracted widespread speculation as well as criticism of the police response.

The force came under fire after making Ms Bulley‘s struggles with alcohol and peri-menopause public three weeks after she vanished.

In a press conference on Wednesday, they revealed the mother-of-two was classed as a “high-risk” missing person immediately after Mr Ansell reported her disappearance, “based on a number of specific vulnerabilities”.

They later added in a statement that Ms Bulley, from Inskip in Lancashire, had stopped taking her HRT medication.

A public backlash and interventions from the government and shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper followed, with Lancashire Constabulary confirming a date had been set for an internal review into the investigation.

A spokeswoman said: “A review of the investigation is diarised and will be conducted by our head of crime detective chief superintendent Pauline Stables.”

How the three-week search for Nicola Bulley unfolded

05:40 , Namita Singh

The desperate search for missing mother Nicola Bulley may have come to an end after a body was found in the river near where she vanished.

A tip-off by walkers led specialist divers to find a body on Sunday, and although it has not yet been formally identified, Ms Bulley’s family has been informed of the discovery.

It comes after three weeks of desperate searches of the river and surrounding area, while social-media sleuths spread conspiracy theories and others descended on St Michael’s on Wyre – with some even filming through villagers’ windows.

Peter Bleksley, a former Scotland Yard detective, described it as “troubling” that the case had led to “rampant speculation” on social media, after two “TikTok detectives” were seen digging up woodland near where Ms Bulley had vanished.

More in this report:

Rumours, a river and a private diver: How the search for Nicola Bulley unfolded

‘Agony’ for family after body found in river

05:20 , Namita Singh

Nicola Bulley’s partner has told of his “agony” after a body was found in the river near where she went missing.

The body, which has not yet been formally identified, was found on Sunday morning around a mile from where the 45-year-old mortgage adviser was last seen.

She had been walking her dog in St Michael’s on Wyre after dropping her daughters, aged six and nine, at school on January 27.In a message to Sky News, her partner Paul Ansell said: “No words right now, just agony.

“We’re all together, we have to be strong.”

Timeline of Nicola Bulley disappearance

05:00 , Namita Singh

A body has been found in the search for missing woman Nicola Bulley after a tip-off by members of the public.

The 45-year-old was last seen on Friday 27 January at around 9.20am while walking her dog alongside the River Wyre in St Michael’s on Wyre, Lancashire.

Ms Bulley’s phone was found, apparently still connected to a Microsoft Teams work call, on a park bench nearby, along with the harness and lead for her dog, Willow, a springer spaniel.

Here is a timeline of how the case has unfolded:

Timeline of Nicola Bulley disappearance as body found in search for missing woman

Diving expert breaks silence after body found in Nicola Bulley search

04:40 , Namita Singh

A diving expert who scoured the river for missing mother-of-two Nicola Bulley has spoken for the first time since a body was found near where she went missing.

Peter Faulding, head of Specialist Group International, led a team of experts and divers to assist Lancashire Police in searching the river using specialist sonar equipment.

He previously said he did not believe Ms Bulley was in the water, despite police doubling down this week on the theory she fell in the River Wyre.

A body has now been found by divers, and although it has not yet been identified, Ms Bulley’s family have been informed of the discovery.

Responding to the news on Sunday evening, Mr Faulding said: “Our thoughts are with Nicola’s family and friends at this difficult time.”

My colleague Lucy Skoulding reports:

Diving expert breaks silence after body found in Nicola Bulley search

Recap: Lancashire Police recover body in river near where Nicola Bulley went missing

04:20 , Namita Singh

Lancashire Police have found a body in the River Wyre near the location Nicola Bulley went missing. Officials confirmed an underwater search team “entered the water and have sadly recovered a body” yesterday.

Police said no formal identification has been carried out yet, and procedures to do so are ongoing.

Report:

Body found in search for missing mother-of-two Nicola Bulley

‘Questions must be asked’ about Lancashire Police’s decision-making

04:00 , Namita Singh

Questions “must be asked” about Lancashire Police’s decision to share the details about their “working hypothesis” in the search for Nicola Bulley, says criminal behavioural analyst Laura Richards.

A body was found around a mile from where Ms Bulley was last seen walking her dog in St Michael’s on 27 January.

No formal identification has yet taken place but Ms Bulley’s family have been told about the discovery.

“The formal identification needs to take place first and foremost,” said Ms Richards in an interview with LBC. “But I do think it raises questions about why would you share a working hypothesis”.

“There should be multiple hypotheses that the police worked at before it becomes a theory. That does not mean it needs to be shared with the public. That just leads to further speculation which is what they don’t want,” she said.

Laura Richards

“Peter himself said had he known about her being high risk and the specific vulnerabilities, his search parameters would’ve been different.

“So the questions must be asked about their decision-making. Why did they not share that information with the people searching for her? If it is indeed Nicola.”

Investigation into whether police disclosed personal issues ‘inappropriately’

03:45 , Namita Singh

A data watchdog is set to probe Lancashire Police about the force’s decision to disclose personal details about missing Nicola Bulley.

Earlier this week, the force detailed how the mother of two’s had been struggling with alcohol and hormone replacement therapy for perimenopause in the lead-up to her disappearance on January 27.

Read the full story.

Man who found Nicola Bulley’s phone and dog knew ‘something wasn’t right'

03:15 , Lucy Skoulding

A dog walker who found Nicola Bulley’s mobile phone on a bench before she had been reported missing has claimed that he “knew something wasn’t right” .

The man, identified only as Ron, thought when he first spotted the phone that someone had left it there while they had gone to relieve themselves nearby.

He had been walking beside the river in St Michael’s on Wyre, Lancashire, close to the spot where the mother of two disappeared on the morning of 27 January.

Read the full story.

Exactly where body was found

02:15 , Lucy Skoulding

A man and a woman walking their dog are understood to have discovered the body and called police on Sunday.

The body was found on an unremarkable stretch of the river, just past a slight bend, a mile or so outside the village, close to where a tree had fallen on its side half in the water.

Police had earlier erected a tent and cordoned off the lane while police divers were called in, but the road reopened around three hours later once the body was recovered.

The police diving team could be seen conducting the search while a police drone and helicopter flew above.

How the three-week search for Nicola Bulley unfolded

01:15 , Lucy Skoulding

The last 23 days have seen Nicola Bulley’s family make heartbreaking appeals for her return home. They have also condemned the “appalling” speculation over her private life – revealing that some people even threatened to sell stories about her.

The search for Ms Bulley began on 27 January when it was discovered she went missing while walking her dog, Willow, by the River Wyre.

Read the full timeline.

Police statement in full

00:15 , Lucy Skoulding

Lancashire Police released a statement today after they found a body close to where Nicola Bulley went missing.

They said: “We were called today at 11:36am to reports of a body in the River Wyre, close to Rawcliffe Road.

“An underwater search team and specialist officers have subsequently attended the scene, entered the water and have sadly recovered a body.

“No formal identification has yet been carried out, so we are unable to say whether this is Nicola Bulley at this time.

“Procedures to identify the body are on-going.

“We are currently treating the death as unexplained.

“Nicola’s family have been informed of developments and our thoughts are with them at this most difficult of times.

“We ask that their privacy is respected.”

Nicola Bulley’s partner says ‘we have to be strong'

Sunday 19 February 2023 23:15 , Lucy Skoulding

Nicola Bulley’s partner Paul Ansell said they “have to be strong” following the news today that an unidentified body has been discovered close to where the mother went missing.

Speaking to Sky News, Mr Ansell said: “We’re all together, we have to be strong.”

He added that he is in “agony” after the update on the case today.

He said: “No words right now, just agony.”

Villagers condemn ‘TikTok detectives'

Sunday 19 February 2023 22:50 , Lucy Skoulding

Villagers living near where Nicola Bulley disappeared condemned TikTok detectives who have been digging up woodland near where the mother-of-two went missing last month.

Conspiracy theories have been rife on social media after Ms Bulley vanished, with vigilantes descending on St Michael’s on Wyre.

Lancashire Police has been forced to urge members of the public not to interfere with the case and senior investigators said social media sleuths have “distracted” the search for the mother-of-two.

Read the full story by Independent reporter Joseph Rachman.

Nicola Bulley’s partner in ‘agony’ after divers find body in river

Sunday 19 February 2023 22:25 , Lucy Skoulding

Nicola Bulley’s partner has spoken of his “agony” after divers found a body in the search for the missing mother-of-two.

The body was found around a mile from where Ms Bulley was last seen walking her dog in St Michael’s on Wyre after dropping her daughters at school on 27 January.

In a message sent to a Sky News correspondent on Sunday evening, Ms Bulley’s partner Paul Ansell said: “No words right now, just agony.”

A man and a woman walking their dog are understood to have discovered the body and called police on Sunday.

Read the full story.

Diving expert says Nicola Bulley was ‘not at bottom of river’ when team searched

Sunday 19 February 2023 22:14 , Lucy Skoulding

Diving expert Peter Faulding said his team had only cleared the area around the bench where Nicola Bulley’s mobile phone was found, and that the tidal section beyond the weir was “an open book”, according to MailOnline.

“All I can say is when we searched she was not on the bottom of that river,” he said.

“We weren’t searching the reeds, our job was to search the water.”

Diving expert Peter Faulding speaks for first time

Sunday 19 February 2023 21:49 , Lucy Skoulding

A diving expert who scoured the river for missing mother-of-two Nicola Bulley has spoken for the first time since a body was found near where she went missing.

Peter Faulding, head of Specialist Group International, led a team of experts and divers to assist Lancashire Police in searching the river using specialist sonar equipment.

He previously said he did not believe Ms Bulley was in the water, despite police doubling down this week on the theory she fell in the River Wyre.

Read the full story.

Timeline of Nicola Bulley’s disappearance

Sunday 19 February 2023 21:40 , Lucy Skoulding

On the morning of 27 January, Ms Bulley left her home with her two daughters, aged six and nine, dropping them off at school and engaging in a brief conversation with another parent around 15 minutes later.

She then took her spaniel, Willow, for a walk along the path by the River Wyre at 8.43am, heading towards a gate and bench in the lower field. She was seen by a dog walker who knew her at around 8.50am, and their pets interacted briefly before they parted ways.

At 8.53am, Ms Bulley sent an email to her boss, followed by a message to her friends six minutes later, before logging on to a Microsoft Teams call at 9.01am. She was seen by a second witness at 9.10am - the last known sighting.

Her phone was back in the area of the bench at 9.20am before the Teams call ended 10 minutes later, with her mobile remaining logged on after the call. At 9.33am, another dog walker found her phone on a bench beside the river, with Willow darting between the two.

The map below shows where a body was recovered by divers on Sunday, in comparison to where Ms Bulley was last seen.

Peter Faulding speaks on news body found

Sunday 19 February 2023 20:53 , Lucy Skoulding

A diving expert who scoured the river for missing mother-of-two Nicola Bulley has spoken for the first time since a body was found near where she went missing.

Peter Faulding, head of Specialist Group International, led a team of experts and divers to assist Lancashire Police in searching the river using specialist sonar equipment.

He previously said he did not believe Ms Bulley was in the water, despite police doubling down this week on the theory she fell in the River Wyre.

Read more below:

Diving expert breaks silence after body found in Nicola Bulley search

How the three-week search for Nicola Bulley unfolded

Sunday 19 February 2023 20:15 , Lucy Skoulding

The desperate search for missing mother Nicola Bulley may have come to an end after a body was found in the river near where she vanished.

A tip-off by walkers led specialist divers to find a body on Sunday, and although it has not yet been formally identified, Ms Bulley’s family have been informed of the discovery.

It comes after three weeks of desperate searches of the river and surrounding areas, while social media sleuths spread conspiracy theories and descended on St Michael’s on Wyre - with some even filming through villagers’ windows.

Read the full story by Martha McHardy.

Family ‘appalled’ at police for releasing private details of Nicola Bulley

Sunday 19 February 2023 19:45 , Lucy Skoulding

Shortly after police revealed Nicola Bulley’s struggles with alcohol, her family released a statement condemning the “appalling” speculation around her private life, saying that they believed the public had become “distracted” from the search.

“Although we know that Nikki would not have wanted [personal details revealed], there are people out there speculating and threatening to sell stories about her. This is appalling and needs to stop,” her family said.

In a press conference on Wednesday, police revealed the mother-of-two was classed as a “high-risk” missing person immediately after her partner Paul Ansell reported her disappearance, “based on a number of specific vulnerabilities”.

Full police statement

Sunday 19 February 2023 19:15 , Lucy Skoulding

Lancashire Constabulary shared a full statement today after a body was found in the search for missing Nicola Bulley.

They said: “We were called today at 11.36am to reports of a body in the River Wyre, close to Rawcliffe Road.

“An underwater search team and specialist officers have subsequently attended the scene, entered the water and have sadly recovered a body.

“No formal identification has yet been carried out, so we are unable to say whether this is Nicola Bulley at this time.

“Procedures to identify the body are ongoing. We are currently treating the death as unexplained.

“Nicola’s family have been informed of developments and our thoughts are with them at this most difficult of times. We ask that their privacy is respected.”

Map shows where body was found

Sunday 19 February 2023 18:44 , Lucy Skoulding

A map shows where a body was found in the River Wyre today as Lancashire police continue working on the case of missing Nicola Bulley.

A body was discovered in the water not far from where the mother-of-two vanished on 27 January.

No formal identification has happened yet so police cannot confirm if it is Ms Bulley or not.

But the map shows it was found quite close to where she was last seen walking her dog, Willow.

Home Secretary speaks out after body found

Sunday 19 February 2023 18:18 , Lucy Skoulding

Home Secretary Suella Braverman has spoken out after a body was found close to where Nicola Bulley went missing three weeks ago.

Ms Braverman tweeted: “These are heart-breaking and distressing developments.

“My thoughts remain with Nicola’s family at this extremely difficult time.”

Penny Morduant condemns ‘drama and distraction’ surrounding search

Sunday 19 February 2023 17:46 , Lucy Skoulding

MP Penny Mordaunt condemned what she described as the “drama and distraction” surrounding the search for Nicola Bulley.

The Commons leader spoke about the missing mother with Trevor Phillips on Sophy Ridge on Sunday.

She said the home secretary and prime minister are right to express concerns regarding the handling of the case.

Mordaunt said: “I can’t image what this must have been like for her family.

“It’s bad enough if a member of your family goes missing, but to have all this additional drama and distraction from the most important thing which is what happened to her.”

Death of person found in river treated as ‘unexplained’

Sunday 19 February 2023 17:30 , Lucy Skoulding

Police say the death of the person who was found in the River Wyre today is being treated as “unexplained”.

Lancashire Constabulary shared a statement today to say a body has been discovered close to where Nicola Bulley went missing three weeks ago.

The person was found in the River Wyre.

No formal identification has taken place so police cannot yet say whether it is Ms Bulley or not.

Expert diver speaks out

Sunday 19 February 2023 17:15 , Lucy Skoulding

Peter Faulding, the diving expert who helped in the search for Nicola Bulley has spoken out after a body was discovered close to where the mother-of-two vanished on 27 January.

Formal identification hasn’t taken place yet so police have not confirmed who the person is.

Mr Faulding is head of expert search group, Specialist Group International. Ms Bulley’s family recruited the organisation to assist the police ten days into the search for the missing dog walker.

After learning the news a body has been discovered, Mr Faulding tweeted today: “Our thoughts are with Nicola’s family and friends at this difficult time. #nicolabulley”

Police ask public to respect family’s privacy

Sunday 19 February 2023 17:00 , Lucy Skoulding

Lancashire Constabulary are asking police to respect the privacy of Nicola Bulley’s family after a body has been found in the river close to where she went missing.

No formal identification has taken place so police cannot confirm who it is.

Police have been looking in the River Wyre, Lancashire as one theory to explain what happened after the mother-of-two disappeared while walking her dog along the river on 27 January.

Her phone was found on a bench close to the river along with her dog, Willow.

Police said in a statement today: “Nicola’s family have been informed of developments and our thoughts are with them at this most difficult of times. We ask that their privacy is respected.”

Nicola Bulley’s friend said she was ‘most amazing mum ever’

Sunday 19 February 2023 16:45 , Lucy Skoulding

A friend of Nicola Bulley has described the missing mother-of-two as “the most amazing mum ever” as she urged online critics to stop spreading false rumours.

In comments reported by the Mail on Sunday, Ms Bulley’s friend Nadia Fell said: “Nikki is a normal mum. We all have ups and downs and being a mum is hard. Every day is a lesson. The menopause can be really tough.”

Urging critics to “please just stop”, Ms Fell added: “The rumours are starting that Nikki is an unfit mum … I will not hear it. Nikki is the most amazing mum ever. Those girls are her world.”

Lancashire police revealed on Wednesday that Ms Bulley had been struggling with alcohol use and symptoms of the peri-menopause, prompting alarm that the disclosure could spark pernicious false rumours on social media.

Read the full story by Andy Gregory.

Police diving team search River Wyre

Sunday 19 February 2023 16:30 , Lucy Skoulding

Pictures taken today close to where Nicola Bulley went missing on 27 January show police divers searching the River Wyre, where a body has been found.

No formal identification has taken place of the body so police cannot yet confirm who it is.

Family yet to comment on discovery of body

Sunday 19 February 2023 16:15 , Lucy Skoulding

Nicola Bulley’s family are yet to comment after a body has been found in the River Wyre close to where the mother went missing.

No formal identification has taken place yet so police cannot confirm who the person is.

But the missing dog walker’s family have spoken out a lot in the last three weeks since Ms Bulley went missing on 27 January.

In a recent statement, the family said: “It has now been three weeks since Nikki went missing. We, as a family, believe that the public focus has become distracted from finding Nikki, and more about speculation and rumours into her and [her partner] Paul’s private life.

“As a family, we were aware beforehand that Lancashire Police last night released a statement with some personal details about our Nikki.

“Although we know that Nikki would not have wanted this, there are people out there speculating and threatening to sell stories about her. This is appalling and needs to stop.

“The police know the truth about Nikki and now the public need to focus on finding her.”

Timeline of Nicola Bulley’s disappearance

Sunday 19 February 2023 16:00 , Lucy Skoulding

A body has been found in the search for missing woman Nicola Bulley after a tip-off by members of the public.

The 45-year-old, was last seen on Friday 27 January at around 9.20am while walking her dog alongside the River Wyre in St Michael’s on Wyre, Lancashire.

Ms Bulley’s phone was found, apparently still connected to a Microsoft Teams work call, on a park bench nearby, along with the harness and lead for her dog, Willow, a springer spaniel.

Read the full story of the timeline of the mother’s disappearance.

Mapped: Body found close to Rawcliffe Road, police say

Sunday 19 February 2023 15:41 , Andy Gregory

The as-yet-unidentified body was discovered close to Rawcliffe Road, police have said.

The road runs tightly parallel to the river at several points.

The body is reported to have been discovered by dog walkers less than a mile from where Nicola Bulley went missing.

Locals may have been aware of police presence at river, say police

Sunday 19 February 2023 15:30 , Andy Gregory

Here is the latest from Lancashire Police on Twitter, who acknowledged that residents in St Michael’s may have been aware of police activity by the river:

Video report: Police recover body in river near to where Nicola Bulley went missing

Sunday 19 February 2023 15:17 , Andy Gregory

Police statement in full as body found in River Wyre

Sunday 19 February 2023 14:56 , Andy Gregory

Here is the full statement from Lancashire Police, after a body was discovered in the River Wyre:

“We were called today at 11.36am to reports of a body in the River Wyre, close to Rawcliffe Road.

“An underwater search team and specialist officers have subsequently attended the scene, entered the water and have sadly recovered a body.

“No formal identification has yet been carried out, so we are unable to say whether this is Nicola Bulley at this time.

“Procedures to identify the body are ongoing. We are currently treating the death as unexplained.

“Nicola’s family have been informed of developments and our thoughts are with them at this most difficult of times. We ask that their privacy is respected.”

Police searching for missing mother Nicola Bulley have found a body

Sunday 19 February 2023 14:53 , Andy Gregory

A body has been found in the search for missing dog walker Nicola Bulley, police have said.

No formal identification has yet been carried out, Lancashire Police said.

Procedures to identify the body are ongoing and the force is currently treating the death as unexplained, it said.

My colleague Jane Dalton has more:

Police searching for missing mother Nicola Bulley have found a body

Pictured: Police search river as roads nearby ‘cordoned off'

Sunday 19 February 2023 14:28 , Andy Gregory

Here are some images from the scene of an intensified police search at the River Wyre this afternoon:

Investigation chief ‘arrives at scene of search’ on River Wyre

Sunday 19 February 2023 14:09 , Andy Gregory

Rebecca Smith, the Detective Superintendent leading the Nicola Bulley investigation, has arrived at the scene of an apparently intensified search in recent hours, according to Sky News.

Helicopters and divers have been spotted at a stretch of the River Wyre this afternoon, with police having reportedly cordoned off nearby roads.

Police ‘seal off roads’ close to where Nicola Bulley went missing

Sunday 19 February 2023 13:45 , Andy Gregory

Police searching for Nicola Bulley have reportedly cordoned off roads close to where the mother-of-two went missing.

Divers and a helicopter have been spotted nearby.

“It all happened so fast. Police have sealed all the roads off. It’s fair to say a massive search is underway,” a photographer at the scene told the Daily Mirror, which reported claims that it follows a tip-off from two walkers.

Watch: Penny Mordaunt condemns ‘drama and distraction’ surrounding Nicola Bulley case

Sunday 19 February 2023 12:55 , Andy Gregory

Mapped: Nicola Bulley’s last-known movements

Sunday 19 February 2023 12:27 , Andy Gregory