The police watchdog has closed its investigations into the circumstances main as much as the choice to cost TV presenter Caroline Flack with assaulting her boyfriend.
Flack died in February 2020, with a coroner ruling that she took her personal life after discovering she was undoubtedly going to face a trial.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) initially really helpful a warning after the alleged assault in December 2019 – however London’s Metropolitan Police appealed and the Love Island host was charged with assault by beating.
It has now emerged that the IOPC closed its newest investigation, referring to the actions of officers in interesting to the CPS, in January 2025 – discovering the result was “reasonable and proportionate”.
An IOPC spokesperson stated it acquired a grievance referral from the Met, which contained “a number of allegations about the force’s investigation” into the alleged assault, in March 2024.
Picture:
Flack offered The Xtra Issue and one collection of The X Issue with Olly Murs. Pic: AP
Nearly all of the allegations had already been investigated by the power and reviewed by the IOPC, the watchdog stated, so it discovered no additional motion was required. Nonetheless, the Met was directed to analyze one side of the grievance “on the basis there may be new witness evidence available”.
In June 2024, the Met discovered there was “no new evidence that would alter any previous outcomes”, the spokesperson added, and the complainant requested the IOPC to evaluate as soon as once more.
A Met Police spokesperson stated DPS officers made additional enquiries and examined the proof final yr. “It did not change the original outcome that the service provided by officers was acceptable,” the spokesperson stated.
“The family were advised of the outcome in June [2024] and then appealed that outcome to the IOPC. The IOPC carried out a review and, in January 2025, found no new evidence that would alter any of the previous outcomes.”
Each the Met and the IOPC have closed their investigations. The IOPC stated one other evaluate could possibly be thought-about in mild of any new proof.
On the finish of Flack’s inquest, coroner Mary Hassell stated the alleged assault had “played out in the national press” following her arrest and had a severe influence on her psychological well being.
She stated she believed her daughter was handled in a different way resulting from her superstar standing. “And that’s not on. She shouldn’t be treated better, but she shouldn’t be treated worse.”
Picture:
Caroline Flack on the launch of Strictly Come Dancing, which she went on to win, in 2014. Pic: Dominic Lipinski/PA
This was not the primary investigation into the dealing with of Flack’s case, with the Met initially referring itself to the watchdog only a few days after her demise.
The DPS discovered there was no misconduct, prompting one other grievance from Flack’s household to the IOPC.
In 2023, the IOPC ordered the power to apologise for not recording its cause for interesting in opposition to the warning, however stated it had not recognized any misconduct.
Within the days after the TV presenter’s demise, the CPS additionally reviewed its dealing with of the case.
Flack’s boyfriend, Lewis Burton, had stated he didn’t help the prosecution, and following her demise her administration launched a press release criticising the choice.
On the time, a CPS spokesperson stated it was regular observe for prosecutors to carry a debriefing after advanced or delicate instances have ended.
“This has taken place and found that the case was handled appropriately and in line with our published legal guidance,” they stated.
Flack, 40, offered exhibits together with spin-offs I am A Celeb… Get Me Out Of Right here! NOW! and The Xtra Issue, in addition to one season of the principle X Issue present with former contestant Olly Murs, earlier than changing into greatest often called the host of Love Island. She additionally gained Strictly Come Dancing in 2014.
