**Title:** IOPC Closes Investigation into Caroline Flack’s Assault Charge
**Meta Description:** The IOPC has concluded its investigation into the police’s handling of Caroline Flack’s assault charge, finding no new evidence to alter previous outcomes.
**URL Slug:** iopc-investigation-caroline-flack-assault-charge
**Headline:** IOPC Concludes Investigation into Police Actions in Caroline Flack Case
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has officially closed its investigation into the police’s decision-making process that led to the assault charge against TV presenter Caroline Flack. Flack tragically passed away in February 2020, with a coroner determining that she took her own life after learning she would face trial.
Initially, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had recommended a caution following an alleged assault involving Flack and her boyfriend in December 2019. However, the Metropolitan Police in London appealed this decision, resulting in Flack being charged with assault by beating.
Since Flack’s death, multiple reviews have been conducted by the CPS, the Metropolitan Police, and the IOPC regarding the handling of her case. In April 2024, Flack’s mother expressed her belief that her daughter’s celebrity status may have influenced the decision to charge her.
The IOPC’s latest investigation, which focused on the actions of police officers in appealing to the CPS, was closed in January 2025. The IOPC found the police’s actions to be “reasonable and proportionate.” A spokesperson for the IOPC noted that they received a complaint referral from the Metropolitan Police in March 2024, which included several allegations about the investigation into the alleged assault. Most of these allegations had already been reviewed, leading the IOPC to determine that no further action was necessary. However, the Met was instructed to investigate one specific aspect of the complaint due to the potential availability of new witness evidence.
This aspect concerned the police’s appeal of the initial CPS decision, and five allegations were sent back to the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards for resolution. In June 2024, the Met concluded that there was “no new evidence that would alter any previous outcomes.” Following this, the complainant requested a review from the IOPC, which reaffirmed the findings in January 2025.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police stated that their Directorate of Professional Standards conducted further inquiries and reviewed the evidence, ultimately finding that the service provided by officers was acceptable. The family was informed of the outcome in June 2024 and subsequently appealed to the IOPC, which found no new evidence to change the previous conclusions.
Both the Metropolitan Police and the IOPC have now closed their investigations, although the IOPC indicated that another review could be considered if new evidence emerges. At the conclusion of Flack’s inquest, coroner Mary Hassell remarked that the alleged assault had significant implications for Flack’s life.
**FAQ Section:**
**Q: What was the outcome of the IOPC investigation into Caroline Flack’s case?**
A: The IOPC concluded that the police’s actions in appealing the CPS decision were reasonable and found no new evidence to change previous outcomes.
