The Metropolitan Police has announced a reexamination of the events leading up to the decision to charge Caroline Flack with assaulting her boyfriend.
Following an incident involving Flack and her boyfriend, Lewis Burton, in December 2019, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) initially recommended a caution for Flack. However, this decision was overturned, and she was charged with assault by beating after the Metropolitan Police officers appealed against the caution.
Tragically, Flack was found dead in February 2020 at the age of 40, with the coroner ruling her death as suicide following the news that prosecutors intended to proceed with the assault charge.
Now, the Metropolitan Police has stated that it is conducting “further enquiries” as there may be new witness evidence regarding the actions of officers in appealing the initial decision not to charge Flack.
Christine Flack, Caroline’s mother, expressed her family’s determination to seek the truth, stating, “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.”
The Metropolitan Police referred a complaint from Flack’s family to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which decided that while most matters had been previously addressed, one aspect required further consideration by the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS). This aspect pertains to the actions of officers in appealing the initial CPS decision not to charge Flack, especially in light of potential new witness evidence.
A spokesperson for the IOPC highlighted the significance of this new witness evidence and the need for thorough investigation, particularly concerning the appeal against the CPS decision.
This reexamination follows previous investigations into the handling of Flack’s case. While the Directorate of Professional Standards found no misconduct, the IOPC directed the Met to reinvestigate specific complaints and offered apologies to Flack’s family for inadequate record-keeping regarding the appeal process.
In a separate development, British singer Olly Murs is set to headline Flackstock, a festival honoring the late TV presenter, on July 22. The event will feature various performers, including All Saints singer Shaznay Lewis and The X Factor star Rebecca Ferguson. Proceeds from the festival will support charities including Choose Love, Mind, Samaritans, and Charlie Waller Trust.
