this is bbc news. the headlines. president biden makes a surprise visit to kyiv — reaffirming the us's unwavering' support to ukraine's democracy. unwavering support to ukraine's democracy. kyiv stands and ukraine stands, democracy stands, the americans stand with you and the world stands with you. mr biden�*s visit comes as the anniversary of russia's invasion approaches. president zelensky says the democratic world has to "win this historic fight." we hope that this year, the 2023 will become a year of victory, this unprovoked and criminal, russia's war against ukraine

and against the whole world. junior doctors in england have voted in favour of strike action over a dispute over pay. say a three day work—out is being planned for march. the family of nicola bulley describe their agony as police find a body in the river near the place she went missing. an inquest into the deaths of five people who were shot by a man in plymouth, finds they were unlawfully killed. a solicitor for the victims�* families say the system has failed them. this evil act was facilitated and enabled by a series of failings and incompetence from the people and organisations that are supposed to keep us safe. bbc research reveals over half of england's schools for children with special educational needs and disabilities are oversubscribed.

us presidentjoe biden has made a surprise visit to kyiv — his first to ukraine since russia invaded almost a year ago. he met ukraine's president, volodmyr zelensky and both men visited a memorial for ukraine's war dead. at a news conference mr biden announced more military, political and financial support for kyiv and he said ukraine would be supported "for as long as it takes". our correspondent james waterhouse reports form kyiv. in a city no stranger to big visitors, this was the biggest. the most powerful politician in the world, ukraine's biggest ally, arriving to the heart of the war, to the delight of his host.

joe biden has been here before, but not as president. that is an important symbol for us, and we are proud of it. thank you very much for coming, mr president. i think it's my eighth trip, and much has changed. much has changed indeed. sirens wail. kyiv�*s saint michael's cathedral. this is no doubt a significant and symbolic visit. you have the us president visiting in the middle of a full—scale conflict with all of those associated risks. but this also sends a message to moscow, that america won't shy away from supporting ukraine. president zelensky will see this as a chance though to ask for more. there was substance to the symbolism. another military package worth $500 million was announced with the promise it will keep coming.

we know that there will be very difficult days and weeks and years ahead. russia's aim was to wipe ukraine off the map. putin's war of conquest is failing. translation: the result of this visit will undoubtedly be - felt on the battlefield, strengthening our troops and liberating our territories. there is still a delay between hardware being promised and used. in a war which is costly and just about every sense, time is not ukraine's friend. this is a conflict which started in 2014. it's nearly a year since russia's full—scale invasion. few expected kyiv would hold, let alone host america's commander—in—chief. james waterhouse, bbc news. let's talk now with melinda haring — a senior fellow at the eurasia center at the atlantic council —

a us based international affairs think tank. a us based international thank a us based international you very much for being v us. thank you very much for being with us. how would you assess the significance of mr bidens visit today? it significance of mr bidens visit toda ? . , ~ today? it was huge. i think the visit was pitch _ today? it was huge. i think the visit was pitch perfect. - today? it was huge. i think the visit was pitch perfect. from i today? it was huge. i think the l visit was pitch perfect. from just today? it was huge. i think the - visit was pitch perfect. from just a pure political perspective, president biden was one of the last world leaders to shop in kyiv. it was a big surprise, he had a fake schedule so no one expected it. he had a blue and yellow tie on, his trademark aviators on and he was walking in the middle of an airstrike. it showed that america is not afraid, ukraine is not afraid. the visuals were absolutely perfect. and mr biden is pretty unwavering in his support for ukraine. i suppose there are questions about what if he leaves the white house, what if he isn't president in a couple of years

i'm? ~, isn't president in a couple of years i'm? a, , isn't president in a couple of years i'm? a, y , isn't president in a couple of years i'm? ., , , . ., isn't president in a couple of years i'm? a, y , a a, a, i'm? how my things change? i have worries before _ i'm? how my things change? i have worries before the _ i'm? how my things change? i have worries before the elections. - i'm? how my things change? i have worries before the elections. i'm i worries before the elections. i'm watching congress pretty carefully. i think the next two years are going to be the big fight. first i'm worried that there'll be a great expectation between what kyiv wants and asks for and what the president can deliver. so kyiv is very happy that he came. people's errors are buoyed. it's been a very, very long year. everyone is so gratefuljust for the presidents present. now the ukrainians are saying, we expect more. given what's happening in congress, i don't know how much more the biden administration can deliver. the next two years i think president biden is going to walk a fine line between reassuring kyiv thatis fine line between reassuring kyiv that is got their back and be able to keep the assistance at the levels that it to keep the assistance at the levels thatitis to keep the assistance at the levels that it is now. find to keep the assistance at the levels that it is "ow-— that it is now. and what you say what's going — that it is now. and what you say what's going on _ that it is now. and what you say what's going on in _ that it is now. and what you say what's going on in congress, . that it is now. and what you say | what's going on in congress, you talk about republicans who thinking may be the united states are spending too much money on this war? yes, there is a lot of pressure. if you look at the response of the

right today, present biden is being criticised or what he's doing. it is a holiday in america, it's presidents' day and that right that does not like the ukraine effort is criticising him and saying, how dare he be in ukraine, he should be here in the united states on our holiday. it's cheap, it's disingenuous but ukraine has become a political football. i think it's only get to get worse as we move closer to a 202k get worse as we move closer to a 2024 presidential election. the one thing i am optimistic about is there is new pulling out and it says support from ukraine among the american public is firm. there is no ukraine fatigue. 65% of american want the us to support ukraine for as long as it takes for that even if that means extending the conflicts that means extending the conflicts that number was the same as it was last year. that number is holding firm at 65%. i last year. that number is holding firm at 6596-— firm at 65%. i suppose the other constraining _ firm at 65%. i suppose the other constraining factor _ firm at 65%. i suppose the other constraining factor on _ firm at 65%. i suppose the other constraining factor on joe - firm at 65%. i suppose the otherj constraining factor on joe biden, constraining factor onjoe biden, apart from domestic opinion is russian opinion, in a sense. not wanting to provoke russia in the

sense of if they provide fighter jets, with that encourage russia to think about the unthinkable? at tactical nuclear weapons, even. vladimir putin loves to rattle the nuclear saver whenever he gets a chance. he hasn't done it lately. his history is not very positive. he loves to threaten and he never follows through. will he use a strategic nuclear weapon? we don't know. if you talk to nuclear experts they put the likelihood very, very low, more like 5%. this isn't something most of us worry about. i think at this point the conversation is about ukrainian victory. how do we get that ukrainians the equipment they need now? time is not on ukraine side. we need to get that ukrainians the equipment they need now and the financial assistance or they can cater state of flow and get this over and done with and bring peace back to europe.— peace back to europe. melinda harinu , peace back to europe. melinda haring. thank— peace back to europe. melinda haring, thank you _ peace back to europe. melinda haring, thank you very - peace back to europe. melinda haring, thank you very much i peace back to europe. melinda -

haring, thank you very much indeed. if you'd like to get an idea of what it's like to cover the ukraine war, head to the bbc iplayer and search for behind the stories. there you can see films from our correspondents steve rosenberg, james waterhouse and sarah rainsford looking back at the russian invasion and how they have reported on it for the last 12 months. the british medical association has announced that junior doctors in england have voted overwhelmingly to strike over pay. members are expected to take part in a 72—hour walkout as early as mid march. 0ur health editor hugh pym has more on that ballot. a turnout of more than 70% and 98% of those who voted were in favour of the strike action. these are doctor members and the british medical association. ajunior members and the british medical association. a junior doctor covers those who are first entering

profession as fully qualified doctors right through to consultant levels are just below consultant level. it covers a very large range of medical profession. what's been said before about the bma, by the junior doctors committee that if they get this mandate in favour cope which they've now got they will now take three days of strike action back to back and they will walk out of all forms of care, emergency and routine and other types of procedures. now, working forward they need to give two weeks' notice to employers, they haven't given any strike dates yet but that may well come in the next couple of days. two weeks on it looks as if it's going to be sometime in the middle of march that this action will take place. on top of all the other strikes and health service which we know about. ambulance services out today in large parts of england and wales. there are more ambulance strikes to come. unison, one of the main health unions will announce

further strike dates for its ambulance service members in march. last week we learned that the royal couege last week we learned that the royal college of nursing had announced three days of strike over 48 hours, march the 1st, second and third, walking out at 9am coming back at 9am on the 3rd. that would be a more escalated version of what they've been doing before because they wouldn't guarantee the local exemptions for certain types of emergency and urgent care and intensive care. that in itself is quite a ramping up of their action in early march. then we've got more ambulance service strikes and now we know there will be junior doctors strikes almost certainly in england in the middle of march. the health secretary has made it clear that his doors open, he's prepared to talk about a whole range of issues around working conditions. but the issue of pay for this financial year, the year that ends at the end of march,

thatis year that ends at the end of march, that is not going to be for a negotiation. that is precisely what the unions want to talk about. the junior doctors are asking for restoration in real terms of what they were getting and 2008. that amounts to a pay rise of 26%. that clearly is not going to be well received by the government. it's obviously in open negotiation position. but that is the sort of figured they are talking about. and to add an extra layer of complication, in a four year deal, preagreed when inflation was a lot lower and they're only getting 2% this year when others in the health service got more. that adds to their sense of grievance. the family of nicola bulley say they are in agony as they wait for police to identify a body, found in the river wyre in lancashire, near where she went missing.

we're expecting a police briefing from lancashire police, that's coming up in the next few minutes at 530. we will bring it to you live. that is going to be led by assistant chief constable peter lawson. two people out walking raised the alarm when they saw the body, about a mile from where nicola was last seen more than three weeks ago. lancashire police have been widely criticised for their handling of the investigation, as nick garnett reports. it was a search that stretched from a tiny hamlet to the lancashire coastline, on land, on water and by air and back again. the police were called just after 11.30 yesterday morning. the nearest road was closed and the footpath along the river, sealed off. police divers and specialist officers went into the water and recovered the body from the weeds and undergrowth at the edge of the river bank. a forensic tent, erected

while the officers worked. the river at this point is tidal, but the body may have been trapped underwater, hidden from sonar and the search teams. a huge police operation, which stretched to the irish sea and yet the discovery was made so close to where nicola bulley was last seen more than three weeks ago. the 45—year—old had just dropped her children at school. she had left her phone on a bench next to the river wyre and now, a body found downstream just a mile away. at the centre of it all, there is a distressed family who are waiting for news and now the focus turns to them. my deepest thoughts and sympathies for the family of nicola bulley. it must be an horrendous experience they are going through right now. we need to let the police carry out and conclude their investigation. the investigation into nicola bulley�*s disappearance on the 27th of january has attracted widespread speculation

and criticism. on february the 3rd the police said they had no reason to believe anyone else was involved and didn't think a crime had been committed, she had fallen into the river. a week later with the search failing to find any sign of her, the police cast doubt on the hypothesis. five days later said the missing mum of two young children had specific vulnerabilities. later that day they went further and said she had struggled with alcohol and the menopause. the police, trying to explain why nicola bulley was a high risk missing person were accused of insensitivity and victim blaming. but today a former police chief from the force has been defending the investigation. we expect high standards from the police, quite rightly so. the media does a brilliantjob in holding the police to account, but some elements of the media basically made it much more difficult. instead of focusing on the priority of finding nicola and supporting the family, they have had to defend their actions every step of the way.

the photographs of nicola bulley and the yellow ribbons of hope still fill the village. but today this seems a saddened place as people wait for more news. well, we can speak now to the former metropolitan detective constable, peter bleksley, who's been following the nicola bulley case. thank you very much for being with us. do you have any idea what they might be saying at this news conference in the next few minutes? as we all know, lancashire police have got themselves in a lot of trouble or been held up to a lot of scrutiny in recent days because of what they've said at press conferences. i'm sure that this evening we will get facts about narrow facts, i would imagine. evening we will get facts about narrow facts, iwould imagine. i wouldn't imagine to be a hint of any speculation. do police will be very

mindful of the fact that our home secretary and the prime minister in recent days expressed concerns about information they've released. they won't be wanting to make any more mistakes of that i am absolutely convinced. d0 mistakes of that i am absolutely convinced-— mistakes of that i am absolutely convinced. ~ , ., convinced. do you think they have made mistakes _ convinced. do you think they have made mistakes because _ convinced. do you think they have made mistakes because that - convinced. do you think they have made mistakes because that if. convinced. do you think they have l made mistakes because that if they have, what sort of mistakes? undoubtedly, the messaging as i call it, the handling of the flow of information. the press conferences to the gathered media and therefore to the gathered media and therefore to the gathered media and therefore to the public has been lamentable in many regards. going back to the first press conference head by the uniform superintendent, when in fact there was some inaccuracies. we were told that a press conference by her that the national crime agency had reviewed the investigation. that was not true. what the national crime edges he had done as we laterfound out had provided strategic and tactical advice for that very, very

different from a review. she also said it one of those press conferences that we, the great unwashed british public, should not speculate. and then an answer to a question from a journalist she went on to do exactly that. of course, we come down to us when day catastrophic press conference when the vulnerabilities issue was raised and we know that a few short hours later after assistant chief co nsta ble later after assistant chief constable peter lawson had said those vulnerabilities were private and personal, they work and it disclosed him they did of course disclosed him they did of course disclose them.— disclosed him they did of course disclose them. ~ . ., , ., . disclose them. what about the search ofthe disclose them. what about the search of the river? — disclose them. what about the search of the river? they _ disclose them. what about the search of the river? they didn't _ disclose them. what about the search of the river? they didn't find - of the river? they didn't find anything in the river, they search for three weeks or so. and two people out walking dogs spotted a body about a mile from where nicholas disappeared. we haven't had

confirmation that the body is hurry up confirmation that the body is hurry up because police have not yet confirmed the identity of the body. what do you make of the way the river was searched?— what do you make of the way the river was searched? their working hypothesis. _ river was searched? their working hypothesis, which _ river was searched? their working hypothesis, which they _ river was searched? their working hypothesis, which they and - river was searched? their working hypothesis, which they and very i hypothesis, which they and very early on in the search for a nickel it was that she had gone into the water. so should this body turn out to be that of nicola bulley, then to a certain extent that hypothesis will be vindicated. i much less critical of the investigation per se then i am of the messaging of the information flow. although of course, there's always two sides to every story. so while some might say the police got it right, if this is nicola she was in the water. the other side will say it well, they didn't find her it was left to a couple of members of the public. it's one of these examples where the police quite rightly should be criticised when they get it wrong. i hope they will take a long look in

the mira and figure how the messaging and the information to the media and the public has been really abysmal. media and the public has been really ab smal. , ., , media and the public has been really ab smal. , . , . ., abysmal. they are very critical of the police _ abysmal. they are very critical of the police but — abysmal. they are very critical of the police but they _ abysmal. they are very critical of the police but they would - abysmal. they are very critical of the police but they would say - abysmal. they are very critical of the police but they would say if l the police but they would say if they were here they have been under enormous pressure. not least from all these amateur detectives and amateur sleuths who have descended on the area trying to look for clues themselves. on the area trying to look for clues themselves-— on the area trying to look for clues themselves. , . . ., u, , themselves. yes and i cut lancashire police a lot — themselves. yes and i cut lancashire police a lot more _ themselves. yes and i cut lancashire police a lot more slack— themselves. yes and i cut lancashire police a lot more slack in _ themselves. yes and i cut lancashire police a lot more slack in that - police a lot more slack in that regard. to a certain extent people who are posting videos and live streaming on platforms like tick—tock and other social media platforms has been a 2023 phenomenon. the skin it have to be a lot of learning taking from this because we know that some of these influences who post their videos do this for money. they have such a following that they get paid according to the amount of clicks and likes and shares and basically traffic that they can generate. this phenomena will not go away. we

sought lancashire police get a dispersal order and we know that one idiotic influence who apparently tried to break into a derelict property was later fined for his actions. that was fine. actions by the police, that was very good, of course this phenomena won't go away. these people are going to turn up in the future crime scenes. of course if they interfere with crime scenes they will find themselves rightly regretting it. but crowds gathering, social media influences and all these people taking a greater interest in crime scenes, missing person inquiries is simply not going to go away. person inquiries is simply not going to no awa . , person inquiries is simply not going to go away-— to go away. very grateful to you for our to go away. very grateful to you for your thoughts _ to go away. very grateful to you for your thoughts and _ to go away. very grateful to you for your thoughts and analysis. - to go away. very grateful to you for your thoughts and analysis. formerj your thoughts and analysis. former metropolitan police detective. to show you the scene there live, lancashire police headquarters are prepared to hold up press conference. that will be beginning

injust under ten minutes or so. we will bring that to you live. that is lancashire police with the latest information on the nicola bulley investigation. breaking newsjust investigation. breaking news just coming investigation. breaking newsjust coming into us. after the earthquake in turkey and syria we're hearing there's been another earthquake of a smaller magnitude, 6.3. but it's hit the turkey— syria border region. more building damage apparently in the and tacky area of turkey. authorities have been running around according to reuters news checking up according to reuters news checking up on people. at least 40,000 people in turkey had died after the earthquake a couple of weeks ago and many more as well in syria. that is another earthquake, a smaller magnitude as i say, just 6—.3 in

terms of magnitude. we will wait and see what the damage and destruction is after that earthquake. of course, still the death toll from turkey and syria is well over 40,000. the most dangerous domestic abusers will be monitored more closely and electronically tagged under new government plans. almost eight and a half million pounds will be spent over the next two years on plans which include specialist victim support programmes. labour welcomed the move but said the government should be doing more to tackle violence against women and girls. let's talk now with farah nazeer — chief executive of women's aid. what is your reaction to this? is this enough for what would you like to see done? i5 this enough for what would you like to see done?— to see done? is positive to see the government _ to see done? is positive to see the government step _ to see done? is positive to see the government step up _ to see done? is positive to see the government step up efforts - to see done? is positive to see the government step up efforts to - government step up efforts to co—ordinate action at a time we're

seeing extreme violence against women and girls in domestic abuse. we welcome the steps. however, moore does need to be done. what we need to see, rather than solely a focus on perpetrators is a focus on the whole system. that means a system that supports women who are experiencing domestic abuse and violence in ensuring those systems operate. as well as a more holistic look at a culture that creates and allows domestic abuse and violence against women and children. we need to see a more coherent, holistic approach. we absolutely welcome the strategic prioritisation for policing, that is a good thing and we do welcome the fact that coercive control is being recognised as a crime that puts women in danger. and perpetrators of coercive control are being monitored as it should be. however, whether or not probation services employees indeed have the resources or training to do that remains to be seen. in the recent

stories we've heard about how those services or working particularly when it comes to violence against women and children. you when it comes to violence against women and children.— when it comes to violence against women and children. you talked about riorities. women and children. you talked about priorities. this _ women and children. you talked about priorities. this is _ women and children. you talked about priorities. this is one _ women and children. you talked about priorities. this is one of _ women and children. you talked about priorities. this is one of the _ priorities. this is one of the changes to make it more of a police priority to tackle violence against women and girls. i priority to tackle violence against women and girls.— women and girls. i think it's a really strong _ women and girls. i think it's a really strong step. _ women and girls. i think it's a really strong step. i _ women and girls. i think it's a really strong step. i think- women and girls. i think it's a really strong step. i think the| really strong step. i think the question is, what sits beneath that step? does not mean we will see better vetting, step? does not mean we will see bettervetting, more step? does not mean we will see better vetting, more inclusive recruitment process? we have more women in the forest, will we see more training? will we see forces held to account? it's what goes underneath the announcement that we really need to understand in order to understand whether or not those announcements will deliver, those priorities will deliver for women and girls. change on paper doesn't necessarily mean change in practice little change in practice means commitments and time. that's what we want to see the government to from here on. is want to see the government to from here on. , , ., want to see the government to from here on. , i. , , ., here on. is it your sense that domestic _ here on. is it your sense that

domestic abuse _ here on. is it your sense that domestic abuse is _ here on. is it your sense that domestic abuse is a - here on. is it your sense that domestic abuse is a problem | here on. is it your sense that - domestic abuse is a problem that is getting worse and if it is, what would be the reason behind the? it certainly not a problem that's getting better. 0ur certainly not a problem that's getting better. our services are as busy as they ever were. in fact, we have a significant first refusal rate into our services. 62% of women can't find a refuge or safe place to go at the first point of request. that suggests that there is a lot more investment that needs to be put into these services in order for them to function and serve women who are seeking to escape domestic abuse or seeking to access a service. there is a lot more that needs to be done to ensure that the systems that support women are resilient. 0f support women are resilient. of course when the perpetrator is released from prison and through probation services, are those officers properly trained, are they at the right level? we need a whole

system approach here. need to also go back to prevention and think about what happens in school. are we supporting children to understand what healthy relationships look like? we need a full system of support rather than specific interventions, which might be viewed as piecemeal. we interventions, which might be viewed as piecemeal-— as piecemeal. we talked about it becomin: as piecemeal. we talked about it becoming more _ as piecemeal. we talked about it becoming more of _ as piecemeal. we talked about it becoming more of a _ as piecemeal. we talked about it becoming more of a police - as piecemeal. we talked about it. becoming more of a police priority but what about it becoming more of a political priority perhaps? is that something you would welcome, that government and opposition parties are talking about this more? i think liven the are talking about this more? i think given the recent _ are talking about this more? i think given the recent reports _ are talking about this more? i think given the recent reports they - are talking about this more? i think given the recent reports they would be absolutely wrong not to be talking about it more. it is a huge societal challenge, it's not going away. and the interventions today have been piecemeal and not enough has been invested in actually addressing violence against women and girls and domestic abuse. we do need to see politicians taking more leadership and we need to hear them

talking about it more. we also need to see them taking action. that means action in schools, prevention, action to ensure that women and children have services that they can rely on, services that are properly funded. that means that health services are able to respond to their needs, gps are equipped, hospitals are equipped. that all services are equipped to respond to people who are disclosing in instances of domestic abuse or violence against them. the issue that we have with the current package that the government had announced was laudable and going in the right direction is only one in five women will ever disclose violence to the police. what's that cater to those perpetrators and people who have disclosed to the police, that's a huge number, significantly higher number of people that don't feel able to disclose to the police. so what are we doing to ensure that people feel

safe to report to the police? what are we doing to ensure that women who are not able to report to the pleas of other services that they can go to? that's what this package does yet deliver. when think about the announcement, which is absolutely to be welcome, we're still in a situation where there are 33,000 reports of coercive control but actually, only 1300 are prosecuted. you're still looking at a very small proportion of those who are actually going to fall into the system for and this announcement, the government has suggested a way forward. so there's a huge number of perpetrators out there that will not be accounted for by these announcements.- be accounted for by these announcements. ., ,, , ., be accounted for by these announcements. ., ~' , ., ~ announcements. okay. thank you. we will no to announcements. okay. thank you. we will go to lancashire _ announcements. okay. thank you. we will go to lancashire for— announcements. okay. thank you. we will go to lancashire for the _ announcements. okay. thank you. we will go to lancashire for the police - will go to lancashire for the police conference on the disappearance of nicola boulet.

good afternoon everyone. sadly, we are now able to confirm that yesterday, we recovered nicola bulley from the river. her family have been informed and are of course devastated. 0ur have been informed and are of course devastated. our thoughts are with them at this time as well as with all her loved ones at the community. and we know the impact this is had on herfamily and and we know the impact this is had on her family and friends and dots on her family and friends and dots on the people of st. michael's. we like to think all of those who helped during this usually complex and highly emotional investigation. today's development is not the outcome any of us would've wanted. but we hope that he can provide some

answers for the loved ones. they remained foremost in our thoughts. in the case is being led by the coroner. they say review the statement on their behalf and be handed over to detective pauline to do that. her handed over to detective pauline to do that. ., , , handed over to detective pauline to do that. . , , ., do that. her family events that we released the _ do that. her family events that we released the following _ do that. her family events that we released the following statement | do that. her family events that we l released the following statement on their behalf as follows. 0ur released the following statement on their behalf as follows. our family liaison officers serve to confirm our worst fears today. we will never be able to comprehend what nicky had gone through in her last moments and i will never leave us. we'll never forget nikki, how could we? she was the centre of our world. she was the one who made her life so special and nothing will cast a shadow over

that. i will go to get the support they need from the people who love them the most. and it saddens us to think that one day left to explain to them that the press and members of the public accuse their dad of wrongdoing, misquoted and vilified friends and family this is absolutely appalling and had to be held accountable and this cannot happen to another family. we tried last night to take an will we have been told in the day. 0nly last night to take an will we have been told in the day. only to have sky news and itv made contact with us directly 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 that they have acted in this way. leave us alone now. to the press and other media channels and so—called professionals that do 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 and st. michael's, friends, neighbours and strangers has been nothing short of comforting and heart—warming. friends, you know who you are and thank you. our hearts truly pray for others that are missing loved ones. keep that hope alive. finally, nikki. you are no longer missing person. you have been found and we can let you rest now. we love you always have and

always will. we will take it from here. thank you.— always will. we will take it from here. thank ou. ., ,, here. thank you. thank you everyone. not takin: here. thank you. thank you everyone. not taking any — here. thank you. thank you everyone. not taking any questions _ here. thank you. thank you everyone. not taking any questions after- here. thank you. thank you everyone. not taking any questions after that - not taking any questions after that short briefing and we heard from the assistant chief counsel confirming that the body that had been discovered was that of nicola bulley who disappeared three weeks ago and after the body was found in the river about a mile from where she was seen, they have confirmed that it was nicola bulley. in that statement being read out on behalf of herfamily and statement being read out on behalf of her family and that was being read out by police and chief superintendent pauline and the worst fears have been confirmed that they

would never be able to comprehend what was going through their mind and she was the centre of their world and made their lives so special and i was followed by a denunciation of the families that was media intrusion into their lives and their children's lives and leave us alone. that was the message from her devastated family as they come to terms the confirmation that the body that has been found in the river wire was indeed that of nicola bulley who disappeared more than three weeks ago onjanuary the 27th. and that the police are saying that their thoughts are very much with

herfamily and also their thoughts are very much with her family and also the people of st. michael's and family and friends, that is the news that the were dreading and confirmation that the body has been found in the river wire was indeed that of nicola bulley and the body was found after the last few days and weeks, huge police search and finally the body was spotted by people walking dogs and we are told about a mile from where she had disappeared and the whole investigation into her disappearance by the whole search of the river and it's been massive in

controversy and criticism of the way police have handled it and vulnerabilities as they called them and then going into details about those vulnerabilities in them secretary and prime minister making comments about the way that the police handled this and she had not been satisfied with the responses that she had had from these criticisms. it is not time for the family of nicola bulley to mourn in their worst fears have been confirmed with his confirmation that it was her and that they will never be able to comprehend what she had gone through in her last moments but they say she will never leave us and she was the centre of our world and

she was the centre of our world and she made her life so special and the condemnation and denunciation of the way the press have conducted themselves in many of the press and many of the media and they said in their statements that there had been media intrusion these are our lives and our children's lives, leave us alone was the message from the family of nicola bulley were distraught at the moment but also distraught at the moment but also distraught about some of the intrusion in the last few days, we had seen extraordinary scenes with temperature sleuths and detectives descending on the river looking for clues in the police searching buildings and breaking into buildings and breaking into buildings around the river and an attempt to try and solve for people

so is the mystery of her disappearance and added to the frenzy that was around the investigation into her disappearance and the mystery of what happened and now and and and the investigation is an end because it is now the hands of the coroners saying that the body that was found was found by dogs walking the river about a mile from where she disappeared. the investigation has now been handed to the coroner and that is what has happened recently. the police conducting a very brief news conference outside lancashire and preston and not going into a judgment of detail but disconfirming that news for the body that had been

spotted was the body of nicola bulley and also another police officer reading the statement from the family and saying that their worst fears have been confirmed and they said they can let you go. and after all the speculation and all the investigation in the weeks of uncertainty now, finally confirmation that the body found in the river was indeed nicola bulley. in the statement on behalf of the family saying that there were spheres of been confirmed and we would never be able to comprehend what was going through her mind

towards the end of her life. she was, as they said, the centre of our world and made our lives so special. and then, the family statement going on to say that it saddens us and monday, we will have to explain about what they call, the appalling press intrusion that they had suffered. media intrusion in the family statement saying these are our lives, our children's lives. it has been one of the most extraordinary chapters in british policing, the controversy over the police investigation but the body of nicola bulley was found on sunday morning in the river about a mile from where she was last seen. 45 euros mortgage adviser who had last been seen walking her dog and st.

michael's after dropping her daughters age six and nine at school backin daughters age six and nine at school back injanuary the 22nd and just going back a bit more, nicola bulley�*s family have been informed after all the necessary police identification procedures had been completed and a few minutes ago from assistant chief counsel saying sadly, we are now able to confirm that yesterday, we recovered nicola bulley from the river and the family have been informed and of course devastated and the assistant chief since our thoughts are with them at this time as well as all their loved ones and the wider community and the police statements and we recognise the huge impact that her disappearance and sat and her friends and the people of st.

michael's and we would like to think all of those who helped with what the spinach huge complex and highly emotional investigation and is not the outcome that any of us would've wanted but we hope it can at least start to provide some answers for her loved ones who remain foremost in our thoughts. and then, just a reminder, we are at that statement from herfamily saying reminder, we are at that statement from her family saying that she was the centre of their world and her daughters would get the support that they need from the people who loved they need from the people who loved the most and the constabulary did say that their offices recalled the river wire close to the road on 1135 yesterday and that's when the underwater search team went in and specialist officers attended the scene, went into the water and

recovered the body, a body now identified as that of nicola bulley. and to tell you where that body was found, there was a stretch of river just past the slight bend about a mile outside the village of st. michael's on river wyre, pretty close to where nicola was last seen. we've been recapping that whole investigation of the last three weeks has attracted so much attention around the country, around the world as well as criticisms of the world as well as criticisms of the police handling of the case in lancashire police, particularly coming under some criticism for making reference to nicola bulley�*s struggles with alcohol and apparent menopause making all of the public, that was hugely controversial after talking about her vulnerability. let's get more now from our

correspondent who has been following this whole search for nicola bulley, this whole search for nicola bulley, this whole search for nicola bulley, this whole investigation of the last few weeks along the river wire and finally, we have a conclusion and quite an angry statement in many ways from the family from what they've seen this huge press intrusion. he will make the family is furious and that fury came through in the simplest and most straightforward language that the possibly was. itruiiilii straightforward language that the possibly was-— straightforward language that the ossibl was. ~ , ., possibly was. will never be able to comprehend _ possibly was. will never be able to comprehend what _ possibly was. will never be able to comprehend what nicola _ possibly was. will never be able to comprehend what nicola went - possibly was. will never be able to - comprehend what nicola went through in the last few moments know will never leave us. our family liaisons that had to confirm our worst fears today. we will never forget nicola, how could we? she was the centre of our world, the windermere life so special and nothing will cast a shadow over that. turning to more angen shadow over that. turning to more anger, the family has said they are furious with these organisations,

sky news and itv for making contact directly with the family they specifically asked for privacy. again, they have taken it upon themselves to run stories to sell papers and increase their own profiles. it is shameful that they have acted in this way is a very straightforward, leave us alone. to the press and other media channels and so—called media professionals, do not know when to stop. these are our lives and our children's lives as directed mostly at the traditional media but also at social media networks as well which have made life very difficult in the last three weeks for the family have had to contend with pages and pages and pages of false rumours and false stories and accusations without any basis of truth. and this level of anger shows just how upset and how

difficult it is been for them. and for the family statement and how they brought this back to important persons in this which is nicola, were no longer a missing person and you have been found and we can let you have been found and we can let you rest now. the police and centre throughout this investigation that they had just two things that they were aiming for. they're there to answers to herfamily were aiming for. they're there to answers to her family and they were there to bring her home. the police that that in their new statements, and a short statement with the explained how this case was not being handed over to the corner, but thatis being handed over to the corner, but that is the end of the inquiry and it is a tragedy in the appalling sadness for those involved in the people in the area as well. i was one of the things of the family talked about, the heart—warming support that they have had and they

know it is happened and it's been in place and they think everyone would be involved in that part for all that they have done. find that they have done. and interestingly, _ that they have done. and interestingly, that - that they have done. and interestingly, that family statement, but there's been so much criticism of the police, they do not refer to that, it refers to criticism of the press and media is you have been alluding to. yes. the olice had you have been alluding to. yes. the police had gone _ you have been alluding to. yes. the police had gone to _ you have been alluding to. yes. the police had gone to the _ you have been alluding to. yes. the police had gone to the family - you have been alluding to. yes. the police had gone to the family last i police had gone to the family last week and they explained, to explain their actions and saying that nicola was classed as a high risk missing person there to relieve some of that information in the family later onset that they knew that nicola would not have wanted that information to be out there. who would? with knew it had to be done and so what is been suggested is that there's a gap the family and the police and they're saying that's not been the case. the family liaison officers, there is a

specially trained to talk to families in such instances, there the whole time for the family and continue to be as they put forward that hope they can and try to help the family get through what is the most appalling time for them. you have covered _ most appalling time for them. you have covered many police investigations and your long career but this is been extraordinary on many levels for example, these temperature sleuths and temperature detectives descending on the scene and making videos for tick—tock and so on. it’s and making videos for tick-tock and so on. �* . . , and making videos for tick-tock and so on. �* , , , f . and making videos for tick-tock and soon. , '. ., so on. it's been very difficult and if ou so on. it's been very difficult and if you look— so on. it's been very difficult and if you look on — so on. it's been very difficult and if you look on social _ so on. it's been very difficult and if you look on social media - if you look on social media networks, you pages after page, after page of false stories and accusations ofjust rubbish that is put out there. in the police here have had no time for that at all. the problem was that this is not a criminal investigation. this was a missing persons inquiry in the police always said that with the problem of doing it that way was the police are not coming out and doing

daily news conferences because they were not, as they kept saying, they were not, as they kept saying, they were not, as they kept saying, they were not looking for anyone else in this inquiry. the problem with that as that you left a gap, a void in of documents to be filled and it was filled by the very people who really knew very little about the case and there were people in social media networks were putting themselves forwards as want to be detectives. it's a properties being broken into beside the land around where nicola was last seen being dug up by people of spades. people have no idea what they're looking for in no inside knowledge at all and yet these people are putting out stories under social media networks that infuriated the police but the problem the police it had was they were not doing anything at that stage to fill it today, the police and said this is an end to their inquiry in this the end of this investigation and another corner is now holding it in those relieve them trying to put a line underneath us and say they are moving on and they're hoping everyone else, those

people on social media are doing exactly the same. find people on social media are doing exactly the same.— exactly the same. and another criticism of _ exactly the same. and another criticism of the _ exactly the same. and another criticism of the police - exactly the same. and another criticism of the police on - exactly the same. and another criticism of the police on a - criticism of the police on a technical basis was the search methods that they used to search the river and after all the searching in the income of the body was spotted by a couple of people walking along the river yesterday. i by a couple of people walking along the river yesterday.— the river yesterday. i spoke to a olice the river yesterday. i spoke to a police officer— the river yesterday. i spoke to a police officer last _ the river yesterday. i spoke to a police officer last week - the river yesterday. i spoke to a police officer last week is - the river yesterday. i spoke to a police officer last week is about | the river yesterday. i spoke to a i police officer last week is about as likely to be what would happen. that the police will be searching by the ice in the ears of the world would be down there at the river and somebody with spot something. i've been down to the area today where nicola's body was found and it i have some birch tree those deep underwater and it looks as though her body had been trapped under there for some considerable time and despite the swaying of the title area of the river that's there, the body had been there in the water eventually gave up its secrets and gave nicola up and gave her to her

family. you look at the stretch of water there and it's only three or four metres across but the search teams for the sonar equipment, they're looking down at the bottom of the river there search teams on the sides of the river and nicola was underneath the water and so, neither of them, it was the perfect storm, neither of the teams were able to find her. in storm, neither of the teams were able to find her.— able to find her. in after all the controversy. — able to find her. in after all the controversy, all— able to find her. in after all the controversy, all the _ able to find her. in after all the controversy, all the arguments j able to find her. in after all the - controversy, all the arguments about the police investigation. at the end, at this tragedy that her body, the body has been identified as that of micro memphis family without the centre of their world. find i of micro memphis family without the centre of their world.— centre of their world. and i think everybody _ centre of their world. and i think everybody needs _ centre of their world. and i think everybody needs to _ centre of their world. and i think everybody needs to remember i centre of their world. and i think . everybody needs to remember that. this is a family tragedy. this is not a story for social media. this is not there for anything other than for those people. she is the centre

of their lives, the centre of their hearts and she is no longer missing person. for hearts and she is no longer missing erson. ., y ., hearts and she is no longer missing erson. ., ., ., ., ., , person. for you another “ournalist, it has been — person. for you another “ournalist, it has been such h person. for you another “ournalist, it has been such an _ person. for you anotherjournalist, it has been such an extraordinary i it has been such an extraordinary story to cover in many ways. upsetting and as we have discussed, perhaps revealing something about the modern world as well. what perhaps revealing something about the modern world as well.- the modern world as well. what is been perplexing — the modern world as well. what is been perplexing is _ the modern world as well. what is been perplexing is seeing - the modern world as well. what is been perplexing is seeing the - the modern world as well. what is i been perplexing is seeing the power of social media, the that is created a demand for the story and it has beenin a demand for the story and it has been in and of itself, the story as well and i remembered speaking to the member of the police officer who was the senior investigating officer of this inquiry last wednesday who said that she in 29 years of policing had never seen anything like this. it raises questions in

our police forces would deal with this in the future, deal with the same, with the same situation arise again? there are missing people all the time. in the same people who go missing every single day. most are found within a few short hours, some people repeatedly going missing that suggests to the authorities that they will come home at some stage in they will come home at some stage in the future and there are those who 9° up the future and there are those who go up before christmas and still do not come home that detail and the amount of interest in their stories and their loved one stories is not been on par with this. but the problem for them and the police and authorities in the authorities in general is how on earth do you look forward in spot at this going to happen again. forward in spot at this going to happen again-— happen again. coverage, nick reporting- _

happen again. coverage, nick reporting- just _ happen again. coverage, nick reporting. just a _ happen again. coverage, nick reporting. just a reminder - happen again. coverage, nick reporting. just a reminder in l happen again. coverage, nick. reporting. just a reminder in the last 30 minutes or so, for that confirmation from lancashire police that the body found yesterday was that the body found yesterday was that of the missing mother nicola bulley. you're the story from assistant chief constable peter lawson, detective chief superintendent pauline staples. they both gave statements. goad superintendent pauline staples. they both gave statements. good afternoon eve one. both gave statements. good afternoon everyone- sadly. _ both gave statements. good afternoon everyone. sadly, we _ both gave statements. good afternoon everyone. sadly, we are _ both gave statements. good afternoon everyone. sadly, we are now— both gave statements. good afternoon everyone. sadly, we are now able - both gave statements. good afternoon everyone. sadly, we are now able to i everyone. sadly, we are now able to confirm that yesterday be recovered the body of nicola bulley from the river wyre. the family have been informed and are devastated. i thoughts are with them at this time as well as all of your loved ones and the community. we recognise the huge impacts that nicola's disappearances of 700 and friends and also the community. we would like to think through this usually

emotional investigation. today's developments are not the outcome any of us would've wanted. but we hope you can provide some answers for nicola's loved ones. they remain in our thoughts in the case is not being handled by his majesty's coroner. we read a statement on their behalf and i were now handed over to detective chief superintendent pauline staples to do just that. superintendent pauline staples to do 'ust that. _, , ., , ., just that. nicola's family have asked that — just that. nicola's family have asked that we _ just that. nicola's family have asked that we release - just that. nicola's family have asked that we release the - just that. nicola's family have - asked that we release the statement on their_ asked that we release the statement on their behalf as follows. 0ur on their behalf as follows. our family— on their behalf as follows. our family liaison officers that had to confirm — family liaison officers that had to confirm our worst fears today. we would _ confirm our worst fears today. we would never be able to comprehend what nicola had gone through in her last moments that will never leave us. last moments that will never leave us we _ last moments that will never leave us. we would never forget nicola, how could — us. we would never forget nicola, how could we? she was the centre of ourworld. she

how could we? she was the centre of our world. she was the one who made our world. she was the one who made our lives _ our world. she was the one who made our lives so _ our world. she was the one who made our lives so special and nothing will casl— our lives so special and nothing will cast a — our lives so special and nothing will cast a shadow over that. our girls— will cast a shadow over that. our girls look— will cast a shadow over that. our girls look at the support they need from the _ girls look at the support they need from the people who love them the most _ from the people who love them the most and — from the people who love them the most. and it saddens us to think that one — most. and it saddens us to think that one day, we will have to explain — that one day, we will have to explain to _ that one day, we will have to explain to them that the press and members — explain to them that the press and members of the public accused their dad of— members of the public accused their dad of wrongdoing, misquoted and vilified _ dad of wrongdoing, misquoted and vilified friends and family. this is absolutely appalling and they have to be held accountable and this cannot— to be held accountable and this cannot happen to another family. we tried last _ cannot happen to another family. we tried last night to take an we had been _ tried last night to take an we had been told — tried last night to take an we had been told in the day. only to have sky news — been told in the day. only to have sky news and itv making contact with us directly— sky news and itv making contact with us directly and we expressly asked for privacy —

us directly and we expressly asked for privacy. they again have taken it upon— for privacy. they again have taken it upon themselves to run stories about— it upon themselves to run stories about us— it upon themselves to run stories about us to — it upon themselves to run stories about us to sell papers and increase their own _ about us to sell papers and increase their own profits. it is shameful that they— their own profits. it is shameful that they have acted in this way. leave _ that they have acted in this way. leave us — that they have acted in this way. leave us alone now. to the press and other— leave us alone now. to the press and other media _ leave us alone now. to the press and other media channels and so—called professionals not know when to stop. these _ professionals not know when to stop. these are _ professionals not know when to stop. these are our lives and our children's— these are our lives and our children's lives. to those who genuinely— children's lives. to those who genuinely helped and supported us, privately. _ genuinely helped and supported us, privately, we thank you. the community support in friends, neighbours and strangers has been nothing _ neighbours and strangers has been nothing short of comforting and heart—warming. friends, you know who you are _ heart—warming. friends, you know who you are thank— heart—warming. friends, you know who you are. thank you. our hearts truly break— you are. thank you. our hearts truly break for— you are. thank you. our hearts truly break for others who have missing loved _ break for others who have missing loved ones — break for others who have missing loved ones. keep that hope alive. finally, _ loved ones. keep that hope alive. finally, nikki, you are no longer in

missing _ finally, nikki, you are no longer in missing person. you have been found and we _ missing person. you have been found and we can— missing person. you have been found and we can let you rest now. we love you. always — and we can let you rest now. we love you. always have and always will. we will take _ you. always have and always will. we will take it _ you. always have and always will. we will take it from here. thank you. thank— will take it from here. thank you. thank you. — will take it from here. thank you. thank you, everyone. is will take it from here. thank you. thank you, everyone.— thank you, everyone. is the chief superintendent _ thank you, everyone. is the chief superintendentjust _ thank you, everyone. is the chief superintendent just reading - thank you, everyone. is the chief superintendentjust reading out i thank you, everyone. is the chief i superintendentjust reading out that family statement after lancashire police and the last half an hour or so and that's that briefing that the body to recover from the record three was that of nicola bulley, the 45—year—old woman was last seen more than three weeks ago having been walking her dog near st. michael's after dropping her two daughters off at school. a tragic end to that long police search and investigation. you have been watching bbc news.

today at six. we're live in ukraine, where after months of planning, presidentjoe biden has made an extraordinary visit to the capital, kyiv. air raid sirens sounded, but the kremlin had been informed. president biden brought a message of solidarity and defiance against moscow. russia's aim was to wipe ukraine off the map. putin's war conquest is failing. translation: the result of this visit will undoubtedly be - felt on the battlefield, strengthening our troops and liberating our territories. we're on the front line in eastern

ukraine, as russia tries to advance, ahead of the one year anniversary, of the war.