VICTIMS of a rogue undertaker reacted with fury yesterday after it emerged cops who gagged them from speaking were secretly working on a documentary.
Heartbroken families conned by funeral director Robert Bush, 47, were repeatedly warned to remain silent and not to “engage” with the media.
They honoured the request only to discover that Humberside Police had been working with London-based filmmakers for months.
Officers gave Brinkworth Productions exclusive access to their major crime team shortly after Bush was charged with 67 offences in April last year.
Last night, relatives of the dead, whose bodies were stockpiled at Bush’s no-frills funeral home, accused the force of “double standards”.
Fuming Claire Stockdale, 47, said: “They told us to say nothing to protect the court case.
“But all along they were working with this documentary team.
“We didn’t find out about it until December. It’s a terrible double standard.”
Claire, whose nan Jessie, 89, was among the 31 corpses recovered by police, added: “Nothing surprises me anymore.
“The police stopped talking to us directly a while ago and now just send text messages.
“It’s disgraceful really, but not at all surprising.”
Campaigner Karen Dry said: “They were telling the families not to speak whilst being followed around by documentary makers.
“Had it been a level playing field everyone would have had the same access.”
A letter sent to families before Christmas warned them not to say anything to the media until the court process had concluded.
Detective Superintendent Alan Curtis, who led the investigation, wrote: “We would request that anyone involved with the case and legal proceedings refrain from posting online or speaking about their involvement until proceedings have concluded.
“This will help to ensure the integrity of those witnesses evidence and ensure a fair trial for all those involved.”
Without any hint of irony he went on: “We can confirm that the investigation and upcoming trial are being filmed for a TV documentary.
“To try and ensure any production is accurate, delivered sensitively and tells the story of the victims and families in a dignified and respectful manner, Humberside Police have agreed to work with a production company to facilitate this.
“Please be assured that your privacy and dignity remain a priority, and no personal details will be shared without consent.”
Mum of two Michaela Baldwin, 35, whose step dad Danny Middleton was one of the victims said the families had been through “hell” for two years.
She said: “It’s like a two-tier system, we were told not to speak to the media while they were. We were keeping quiet and they were running off talking to the documentary team. It’s horrible.
“It’s disappointing really because they are doing what we were told not to. We were told it could jeopardise the trial so why were they doing it then?”
Filming of the documentary began in November 2025 at a time when Bush was still facing trial for 30 counts of preventing the lawful and decent burial of a dead body and theft.
He dramatically changed his plea on Thursday and now faces prison when he is sentenced in July.
Bush, of Otley, West Yorkshire, stored the corpses at his family-run Legacy Funeral Directors in Hull and gave their grief-stricken relatives ashes belonging to strangers.
Det Supt Curtis read a statement outside Hull Crown Court on Thursday but refused to answer any questions from the assembled media.
Last night, Humberside Police said: “Following the charging of Robert Bush in April 2025, Humberside Police agreed for Brinkworth Productions to follow our Major Crime Team throughout the rest of the investigation.
“Brinkworth was appointed following a selection process.
“Like many forces across the country, we regularly work with television production companies to help show the public what we do.
“No profit is being made by Humberside Police from this production.
“We hope the documentary will provide insight into the complexity of this investigation and will demonstrate the hard work of our officers and staff to bring justice for the victims.”
