Police watchdog closes Flack charging decision review

The watchdog concluded the handling of the decision to charge Caroline Flack was reasonable, amid ongoing debate about celebrity influence and media coverage.

Police watchdog closes investigation into charging decision involving Flack

The Independent Office for Police Conduct has ended its probe into how the decision to charge TV presenter Caroline Flack came about. The inquiry looked at the Metropolitan Police response after the Crown Prosecution Service initially recommended a caution in December 2019 and the police appeal that led to a charge of assault by beatings. Flack died in February 2020, with a coroner later ruling she took her own life after learning a trial was likely. In January 2025 the IOPC said the outcome of the investigation was reasonable and proportionate. The Met had previously referred the case to the watchdog, and the IOPC found most complaints had already been reviewed by both the force and the body.

Officials noted that five allegations stemming from the complaint about the appeal were sent back to the force for review, but no new evidence emerged to change previous conclusions. Met spokespeople emphasized the DPS conducted further checks and found the service was acceptable. The public conversation around Flack's case continued to be shaped by media coverage and statements from her family, who asserted that celebrity status influenced how the case was treated.

The review outcomes come at a time when audiences reassess how celebrity status affects legal processes. While officials defend that the process followed legal guidance, critics argue the glare of fame can distort decisions and public narratives. This episode underscores the need for transparent, independent scrutiny of policing and prosecutorial choices to maintain public trust. It also highlights how families and fans navigate the line between accountability and sensationalism in high profile cases.

Highlights

Public trust depends on consistent, humane handling of high profile cases