Caroline Flack: Met Police to reinvestigate decision to charge star with assaulting boyfriend
Police are to reinvestigate the circumstances leading up to the decision to charge Caroline Flack with assaulting her boyfriend.
The TV presenter died in February 2020, with a coroner saying she took her own life after discovering she was definitely going to be prosecuted.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had recommended she only get a caution but this was overturned after London’s Metropolitan Police appealed.
Flack, 40, was ultimately charged with assault by beating over the incident, which involved her boyfriend, Lewis Burton, in December 2019.
Metropolitan Police has now said it’s making “further enquiries” because “new witness evidence may be available” about officers’ actions in appealing the CPS decision.
The former Love Island host’s mother told the Daily Mirror: “We won’t stop until we get the truth.
“Something very unusual happened to Carrie at the police station that night, but no one kept a proper record explaining why.
“I have now made a complaint to compel the officer to give the statement we think he should have given four years ago.
“As a family, we have been left with important unanswered questions.”
An inquest heard Flack was worried about the publicity a trial would bring. Pic: AP
Met Police said it had referred a complaint from Flack’s family to the police watchdog, the IOPC, on 7 March.
“The IOPC decided the majority of the matters had previously been dealt with and no further action was required,” said a Met statement.
“The IOPC returned one aspect of the complaint back to the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS) to consider further.
“This relates to the actions of officers in appealing an initial decision by the Crown Prosecution Service not to charge Ms Flack, and because new witness evidence may be available.
“DPS officers are now making further enquiries in relation to this.”
Olly Murs (pictured with Flack in 2012) will headline the Flackstock festival in July. Pic: AP
It isn’t the first time investigations into the Flack case have been carried out.
The DPS previously found there was no misconduct, prompting another complaint from Flack’s family to the IOPC.
It also didn’t find any misconduct by the Met. However, it ordered the force to apologise for not recording its reason for appealing against the caution.
Caroline Flack’s mother rejected that apology at the time.
Read more from Sky News:
Eurovision organisers condemn abuse of contestants over Israel
Made In Chelsea star reveals stoma bag
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
The announcement of the new investigation comes as it was revealed Caroline’s former X Factor co-presenter Olly Murs will top the Flackstock festival in July.
The event in memory of the presenter is in its third year and raises money for mental health charities.
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK
Crystal Palace are celebrating a historic win in the FA Cup after a 1-0 victory against Manchester City at Wembley.
It’s the south London club’s first major trophy – and third time lucky after losing two previous finals they have played in. The win also means Palace have qualified for next season’s Europa League.
Eberechi Eze put his side 1-0 up with the game’s only goal in the 16th minute.
Man City were given a chance to equalise when they were awarded a penalty in the 33rd minute, but Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson – who had earlier escaped a red card for a handball outside the box – saved Omar Marmoush’s spot kick.
Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze scores. Pic: PA
Man City’s Omar Marmoush after his penalty was saved. Pic: PA
It briefly seemed the south London team had gone 2-0 up after a 58th-minute strike from Daniel Munoz but the goal was quickly ruled offside.
They then held onto their 1-0 lead until the final whistle, which came after an agonising 10 minutes of injury time.
Dean Henderson dodged a red card and saved a penalty. Pic: PA
Oliver Glasner’s team were the underdogs despite Manchester City having had a difficult season in the Premier League.
Pep Guardiola’s side also lost to their neighbours and rivals Manchester United in last year’s cup final.
‘It’s all about spirit’
Palace goalscorer Eze said he had “no words” as he celebrated with his team mates.
Eze celebrates after the final whistle. Pic: PA
“I can only thank God,” he told ITV. “This is special, this is what dreams are made of, for this club as well. Who would have thought we could do it?
“We’ve made history today. The tactics were good but it’s all about spirit. That’s energy, that’s everyone fighting together and doing what we had to do today.”
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.
Please refresh the page for the fullest version.
You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.
-
Sports3 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports1 year agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports2 years agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports4 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment2 years agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike
-
Business3 years agoBank of England’s extraordinary response to government policy is almost unthinkable | Ed Conway