THE chief constable of Gwent Police has slammed a national newspaper columnist for ”judging” and “blaming” a woman detective over her appearance in the Nicola Bulley missing person investigation.

Former national newspaper editor Amanda Platell, who writes for the Daily Mail, posted a newspaper article with a picture of the top Lanacashire Police cop last week saying: "Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith at press conference yesterday - skin tight navy dress, stilettos, poker straightened hair - whatever happened to a cop uniform!“Or is she auditioning for Love Island for midlifers. Show some respect for a missing mother!"  

But Chief Constable Pam Kelly blasted her comments before the discovery of mother-of-two Ms Bulley’s body in the River Wyre near Blackpool on Sunday.

The Gwent Police officer responded on social media to the journalist’s post by saying: "Saddened to see this… there is a lady missing and her family and wider community are desperate to find her… and here we are again… constantly judging and blaming women in senior police roles.“We really need a kinder society… for now and the future."

Former South Wales Police chief Matt Jukes, who is now  Head of UK Terrorism Police, showed his support for the Gwent CC, adding: "Well said @GP_CCKelly & others calling out this nonsense

.“Unwarranted & levelled at a professional facing an enormous challenge, striving to bring a family news.”

Another tweet in response said: "A woman shaming a woman for what she chooses to wear. It's coming from all directions."

Another said: "It's good to see police officers calling out this disgraceful comment about the way a woman is dressed. We all have a part to play."

Meanwhile, Lancashire Police have been criticised for releasing personal information last week about Ms Bulley who went missing four weeks ago while walking her dog alongside the river.

The Information Commissioner has said he will be asking the force about its decision to disclose Ms Bulley’s struggles with alcohol and the menopause.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman also demanded an “explanation” from the force about why it disclosed those details at a press conference which Det Sup Smith was involved in.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also said he was “"concerned that private information was put into the public domain" about the 45-year-old.