British Home Secretary criticizes police in missing Nicola B.

The case of a missing 45-year-old from north-west England is becoming a political issue in Great Britain. According to the BBC and the Times, Home Secretary Suella Braverman also intervened on Friday after criticism of the local police's actions arose.

Braverman is therefore demanding an explanation from the Lancashire Police as to why they disclosed the alcoholism of the missing Nicola B. and even spoke publicly about her problems with the menopause. The mother of two daughters has been missing since January 27, she disappeared while taking a walk. Police suspect she fell into nearby water, but have not been able to find the woman's body or trace of her.

Recently, therefore, the criticism of the investigators grew, but also their information policy. Conservative MP Alicia Kearns tweeted that she couldn't understand how information about possible alcohol abuse could help investigators in their search. "But I can very well see how it benefits those who want to blame or denigrate the victim," wrote the politician.

The police surprisingly announced on Wednesday evening that Nicola B. used to have serious problems with alcohol. Previously, there was never any talk of personal problems in the family. The alcohol addiction was a big challenge for her partner and the family with two small daughters, it was said.

At a press conference, investigators also described the woman as "endangered" and "vulnerable". In mid-January there was also an "incident" at the family home, it was announced. Officials did not give details. But that's not all: it was also made public that Nicola B. had entered menopause early and had suffered greatly from it.

Outrage broke out on social media, and various politicians spoke out. Opposition Labor MP Stella Creasy called the decision to make such personal information public "very disturbing".

There was also headwind from experts: Former investigator Martyn Underhill told Sky News that he was "confused" about the strategy. "I don't see how this is supposed to move the case after three weeks." He can understand that some people see the actions of the police as an attempt to blame the victim and destroy the woman's reputation.

The search for the 45-year-old has kept the country in suspense for weeks. Nicola B., a mortgage manager, dropped off her nine- and six-year-old daughters at school in the village of St Michael's on Wyre on the morning of January 27 and then walked her dog.

At 9 a.m., she was still on a cell phone on a business conference call. The call ended around 9:30 a.m. but she didn't log off. Shortly thereafter, the dog and cell phone were found by a river. Since then there has been no trace of the woman. Even the day-long deployment of divers was unsuccessful.

Since then, speculation, particularly on social networks, has been in danger of spiraling out of control. It was speculated about a mysterious red van parked near the river and an empty old house nearby.

Again and again the police had to stop "volunteers" who wanted to search the area on their own. Conspiracy theories and defamation about B. and her family also circulated on Tiktok, as well as severe criticism of the work of the officials.

"It is an unusual step for us to go into a person's private life in such detail," the police said. "But we felt it was important to clarify what we meant when discussing vulnerability, to avoid further speculation or misinterpretation."