Caroline Flack inquest to open on Wednesday after death at weekend
Friends have criticised the media for the way it treated the star before her death, but a press society says it is not to blame.
Wednesday 19 February 2020 09:45, UK
The inquest into the death of Caroline Flack is due to open on Wednesday morning in east London.
It will be held at Poplar Coroner's Court, a representative from the court said.
The former Love Island presenter, 40, was found dead at her east London flat on Saturday having taken her own life, her family said.
An inquest must be opened if there is reasonable cause to suspect a death was due to anything other than natural causes.
The opening of an inquest can often be over within minutes and will confirm the identification of the person who has died.
A coroner may also hear brief evidence of how and where the body was found, whether a post-mortem has taken place and the provisional medical cause of death, if it is known.
Friends of the TV star have hit out at social media and the tabloid press for the way she was treated before her death.
But the Society of Editors - the organisation that represents editors of the UK's biggest newspapers - maintains "it is wrong to blame the media", and pointed to positive coverage of the star "many years prior".
In a statement, the society said: "She was given coverage in the media for many years prior to recent events, the vast majority of it very positive.
"We cannot know the reasons why Caroline chose to end her life, however it is wrong to blame the media for her decision without knowing the facts."
Meanwhile, her management has criticised prosecutors for pressing ahead with her "show trial" which was due to start next month.
Flack was charged with assaulting her boyfriend Lewis Burton, 27, last year, despite him saying he did not support the prosecution.
She entered a not guilty plea to the assault charge at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court and was released on bail, with conditions that stopped her having any contact with Burton before the trial.
Francis Ridley, of Money Talent Management, said in a statement: "In recent months Caroline had been under huge pressure because of an ongoing case and potential trial which has been well reported.
"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."
The CPS, without directly discussing Flack's case, said it does not make the decision to prosecute someone over whether they are guilty or not but over whether they should face a court.
In a statement, it said it asks two questions when making the decision: "Does the evidence provide a realistic prospect of conviction?" and "Is it in the public interest to prosecute?"
It added that a complaint being withdrawn does not automatically stop the case and there are many other things to consider before doing so.
Former CPS prosecutor Nazir Afzal said domestic assault cases are often pursued despite the victim withdrawing.
He said these cases are known as evidence based and are pursued "in the public interest if a 'victim' does not or cannot support the case".
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Prosecutors go ahead with these cases in an attempt to avoid the more than 120 domestic homicides that were carried out last year, Mr Afzal said.
He added: "But only when they are allegations of serious violence and there is other strong evidence available such as 999 call recordings, police body worn camera, statements and interview.
"Sometimes you need to protect someone even when they can't see it themselves."
The Society of Editors also defended the media coverage of the CPS decision, saying it was "in the public domain and should be covered".
It added: "To believe that by silencing mainstream media on such matters would prevent speculation on social media where rumour and accusations run unchecked by the regulations the media adheres to, is both naive and dangerous.
"A blanket ban on any reporting of accusations or police investigation until a person is charged is also dangerous as it can lead to the deterrence of whistle blowers, give succour to the rich and the powerful, and is not in the public interest."