The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) must review its handling of the assault case against the late Love Island host, Caroline Flack.
It follows a request for access to information from the Daily Mirror and comes amid criticism that the CPS had pursued a “show trial” against the star.
The presenter, who committed suicide in February, denied accusing her of assaulting her boyfriend.
The PSC said that the outcome of any “post-case review” would not be made public.
Ms. Flack pleaded not guilty to an assault charge during a court appearance on December 23, 2019, when it was heard that her boyfriend Lewis Burton had not supported the charge.
She was released on bail but has been ordered to suspend all contact with Burton before the trial, which is said to have started on Wednesday.
The 40-year-old TV presenter was found dead in her London apartment last month – one day after learning that the CPS was suing her.
She left her role of presenting Love Island after being accused of assaulting Burton.
A CPS spokesperson told the Daily Mirror: “The review will focus on the overall handling of the case by the CPS and, obviously, the decisions behind the charge are part of it.”
He said that post-case debriefings “were not uncommon” but that the CPS “does not comment on the result”.
In an unpublished Instagram post shared by her family, Ms. Flack said that “her whole world and her future were swept under my feet” after her arrest – which saw the presenter become the center of media attention.
Petition
At the time of his death, Ms. Flack’s management company said the star had been “under enormous pressure” since his arrest and criticized CPS for refusing to drop the charges, even though Burton said he did not want the matter to continue.
In a statement issued the day after his death, the CPS said: “We do not decide whether a person is guilty of a criminal offense – that is to say the jury, the judge or the magistrate – but we have to make the key decision on whether a case should go to court. “
Earlier this week, a petition signed by more than 850,000 people was delivered to the government, calling for restrictions on the British media following the death of Ms. Flack. He calls for the implementation of a new law, called Caroline’s Law, which would make intimidation and harassment of the media a criminal offense.
“Politicians must intervene urgently and make sure there are consequences when the media intimidate and harass,” said Holly Maltby, of the campaign group 38 Degrees.
Metropolitan police referred to the police watchdog after the death of the former X Factor presenter and winner of Strictly Come Dancing on February 15. The Met said it was common practice when someone who had recent contact with the police died and “no officer is on duty or suspended.”
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) must review its handling of the assault case against the late Love Island host, Caroline Flack.
It follows a request for access to information from the Daily Mirror and comes amid criticism that the CPS had pursued a “show trial” against the star.
The presenter, who committed suicide in February, denied accusing her of assaulting her boyfriend.
The PSC said that the outcome of any “post-case review” would not be made public.
Ms. Flack pleaded not guilty to an assault charge during a court appearance on December 23, 2019, when it was heard that her boyfriend Lewis Burton had not supported the charge.
She was released on bail but has been ordered to suspend all contact with Burton before the trial, which is said to have started on Wednesday.
The 40-year-old TV presenter was found dead in her London apartment last month – one day after learning that the CPS was suing her.
She left her role of presenting Love Island after being accused of assaulting Burton.
A CPS spokesperson told the Daily Mirror: “The review will focus on the overall handling of the case by the CPS and, obviously, the decisions behind the charge are part of it.”
He said that post-case debriefings “were not uncommon” but that the CPS “does not comment on the result”.
In an unpublished Instagram post shared by her family, Ms. Flack said that “her whole world and her future were swept under my feet” after her arrest – which saw the presenter become the center of media attention.
Petition
At the time of his death, Ms. Flack’s management company said the star had been “under enormous pressure” since his arrest and criticized CPS for refusing to drop the charges, even though Burton said he did not want the matter to continue.
In a statement issued the day after his death, the CPS said: “We do not decide whether a person is guilty of a criminal offense – that is to say the jury, the judge or the magistrate – but we have to make the key decision on whether a case should go to court. “
Earlier this week, a petition signed by more than 850,000 people was delivered to the government, calling for restrictions on the British media following the death of Ms. Flack. He calls for the implementation of a new law, called Caroline’s Law, which would make intimidation and harassment of the media a criminal offense.
“Politicians must intervene urgently and make sure there are consequences when the media intimidate and harass,” said Holly Maltby, of the campaign group 38 Degrees.
Metropolitan police referred to the police watchdog after the death of the former X Factor presenter and winner of Strictly Come Dancing on February 15. The Met said it was common practice when someone who had recent contact with the police died and “no officer is on duty or suspended.”