Caroline Flack: CPS to review handling of assault case after presenter’s death

Flack’s management had criticised the Crown Prosecution service for conducting a ‘show trial’

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) will review its handling of the assault case against Caroline Flack, following the death of the former Love Island presenter.

Flack was found dead at her flat on 15 February after she took her own life, while awaiting trial on charges she assaulted her boyfriend Lewis Burton with a lamp.

She was bailed after an initial court hearing and would have been due to appear for the start of her trial today (Wednesday 4 March).

After her suicide, Flack’s management team criticised the CPS for conducting a “show trial”, as Burton had said he did not support a prosecution and Flack had denied the charge against her.

In a statement at the time, Francis Ridley of Money Talent Management, said: “The Crown Prosecution Service pursued this when they knew not only how very vulnerable Caroline was but also that the alleged victim did not support the prosecution and had disputed the CPS version of events.

“The CPS should look at themselves today and how they pursued a show trial that was not only without merit but not in the public interest. And ultimately resulted in significant distress to Caroline.”

Following a freedom of information request from the Daily Mirror, it is understood the CPS will look into its handling of the matter through a post-case review panel, a procedure which is not uncommon especially in regard to complex or sensitive cases.

It is understood the outcome of the review will not be made public.

Additional reporting by agencies