Caroline Flack’s mum speaks out after police apologise after Love Island star’s death

2023-03-13

Caroline Flack's mother Christine Flack has rejected the Metropolitan Police's apology after they were criticised for the way they handled the case of Caroline's death.

Christine's daughter Caroline took her own life on February 15 in 2020 at the age of 40, following an incident with her boyfriend, Lewis Burton.

The Met Police has been criticised for how they handled the case and has since apologised for not recording why the Love Island star had been charged.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had recommended the former presenter receive a caution following the incident.

However, this was overturned after an appeal from the Met Police, who instead charged her with assault by beating.

Christine now says she does not accept their apology. Speaking to Victoria Derbyshire on BBC's Newsnight, Christine Flack said: "It just seems wrong.

"They haven't said why there were no notes taken, why nothing was recorded. I don't know whether they're covering something."

Christine was then asked if she thought her daughter would still be alive if Caroline had just been cautioned, to which she said: "I do, I really do."

Christine went on to say: "Once all the pictures came out in the newspapers and things were written about her on social media – they just picked up the bad.

"There was a lot of good, but Caroline wasn't reading the good – she was only reading the bad."

She added: "She lost her job straight away, without even being found guilty or going to court. She had another series axed."

A coroner later ruled the star took her own life because she knew she was facing prosecution and feared the media attention surrounding her trial.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said the force was ordered to apologise to Flack’s family following a review by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) which found there was not a “record of rationale” to appeal against the CPS decision.

A spokesperson for the Met Police told the BBC that Caroline's arrest had been handled appropriately: "Our thoughts and sympathies remain with Ms Flack's family for their loss and we are sorry for the impact this has had on them.

"When a person is arrested they can be held in custody for a period of up to 24 hours to allow officers time to gather evidence and investigate the alleged offence."

They continued: "A review by the Independent Office for Police Conduct did not identify any misconduct in relation to the handling of Ms Flack's arrest, however, it concluded that an officer involved in the investigation should receive reflective practice."

For emotional support, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email [email protected], visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.

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