Ofcom asks ITV and Sky to 'explain actions' after Nicola Bulley family complaint
Media watchdog Ofcom says it is “extremely concerned” by comments by the family of Nicola Bulley as they write to ITV and Sky “to ask them to explain their actions”.
The broadcasters were condemned for contacting the family on Sunday in a statement following the discovering of the missing mum's body.
The 45-year-old vanished while walking her dog in the village of St Michael’s on Wyre, Lancashire, on 27 January.
The case provoked widespread media attention but after allegedly making contact despite their request for privacy, the family hit out in a statement after a body - later to identified as the mortgage adviser - was found.
The family hit out at the broadcasters via a statement released to the police (ADAM VAUGHAN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)Now, Sky and ITV have been contacted by the communications regulator.
Mum appeared 'completely normal' moments before vanishing while walking dog
A spokesperson for Ofcom said: “We are extremely concerned to hear the comments made by the family of Nicola Bulley about two broadcast licensees.
“We have written to ITV and Sky to ask them to explain their actions. We will then assess whether any further action is required.”
The family say that her partner, Paul Ansell, had been falsely accused of wrongdoing.
Sky covered the search for the missing mum from the scene (PA)They said they were “misquoted and vilified” in the media’s coverage of the police’s search for Mrs Bulley.
They said of the outlets in a statement: “This is absolutely appalling, they have to be held accountable” before adding it "cannot happen to another family”.
It read: “We will never be able to comprehend what Nikki had gone through in her last moments and that will never leave us.
Nicola Bulley was missing for more than three weeks before she was found (Lancashire Constabulary / SWNS.C)“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.
Paul Ansell, the partner of Nicola Bulley, says he was “vilified” (Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)“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.
Devastated parents promise to never stop looking for mum-of-two who vanished
"They again, have taken it upon themselves to run stories about us to sell papers and increase their own profiles. 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.
Her body was identified on Monday after being discovered in a river the day before (Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)“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’ll take it from here.”
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