Nicola Bulley found: missing mum’s family statement from police press conference in full

Nicola Bulley’s family hit out at members of the public and the press in an explosive statement read out by police.

Lancashire Constabulary confirmed that the body found in the River Wyre on Sunday was that of the missing mum-of-two. Nicola, 45, was last seen on 27 January walking her dog Willow, after dropping her daughters, aged nine and six, at school.

After Lancashire Police Assistant Chief Constable Peter Lawson confirmed the sad news, Head of Crime Det Ch Supt Pauline Stables read out a statement from Nicola’s devastated family. They said “the press and members of the public” had been “absolutely appalling, they have to be held accountable”.

Nicola Bulley’s family’s press conference statement in full

“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.

“And it saddens us to think that one day we will have to explain to them 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. The community support in St Michael’s, friends, neighbours and strangers has been nothing short of comforting and heart-warming. Friends you know who you are. Thank you.

“Our hearts truly break for others who have missing loved ones. Keep that hope alive.

“Finally, Nikki, you are no longer a missing person, you have been found, we can let you rest now.

“We love you, always have and always will, we will take it from here.”

How have media regulators responded?

Media watchdog Ofcom has said it is “extremely concerned” by the comments made by Nicola Bulley’s family, and it has written to ITV and Sky “to ask them to explain their actions”.

The regulator - which has a statutory duty to protect the public from harmful or offensive material - has the power to demand information from broadcasters, and to take enforcement action if they fail to comply with their responsibilities. Ofcom may impose financial penalties for non-compliance, and failure to comply with information requests can also constitute a criminal offence.