The Metropolitan Police are reinvestigating the decision to charge Caroline Flack, as “new witness evidence may be available.”
The former Love Island host was arrested for assault following a 5am “domestic disturbance” involving her boyfriend Lewis Burton at her London home back in 2019.
The popular presenter tragically took her own life after she was told she would face trial for the alleged assault on February 15, 2020, at the age of 40.
“The IOPC decided the majority of the matters had previously been dealt with and no further action was required.”
“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.”
The Crown Prosecution Service recommended that the former presenter receive a caution following the incident in 2019 .
However, this was overturned after an appeal from the Met Police, and she was then charged with assault by beating.
The police in London revealed it’s making “further enquiries” into new evidence about the actions of officers in appealing the initial decision not to charge Caroline.
A spokesperson for the IOPC said about the complaint made by Caroline’s family: “On the basis there may be new witness evidence available, we returned one aspect of the complaint back to the Met to investigate.”
“This relates to the actions of officers in appealing an initial decision by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) not to charge Ms Flack. The CPS subsequently reconsidered its advice and authorised a criminal charge.”
There was previously another investigation into the handling of the case with the Directorate of Professional Standards previously finding there was no misconduct – leading her family to escalate their concerns.
The decision to reinvestigate the lead-up to the decision comes after it was announced that Olly Murs will headline the Flackstock festival when it returns on 22 July for a third year.
The event is held in honour of the late TV presenter, and the money raised from the festival will be split equally between the UK charities Choose Love, Mind, Samaritans, and the Charlie Waller Trust.
