What’sWhat’s happening? The former director general of the Independent Office for Police Conduct, Michael Lockwood, has been charged with raping a child.
Lockwood, 64, stepped down from his role leading the IOPC in December after it emerged that he was being investigated over historical allegations.
Rosemary Ainslie, head of the particular crime division at the CPS, said: ” After carefully considering all of the evidence provided to us by Humberside Police, we have authorised charges against Michael Lockwood, 64, for nine offences under the Sexual Offences Act 1956.
“Mr Lockwood has been charged with six counts of indecent assault and three offences of rape against a girl under the age of 16, alleged to have been committed during the 1980s.
“The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against Mr Lockwood are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.”
Lockwood became the director general of the IOPC on its creation in 2018, when it replaced the now-defunct Independent Police Complaints Commission.
The Case Against Michael Lockwood
Before joining the IOPC, Lockwood had served as chief directorial of the London Borough of Harrow, working for the borough during the Grenfell Tower tragedy and playing a role in family liaison, working with survivors and the local community.
He later became the co-chair of the Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission.
Lockwood earned £190,000 heading up the IOPC, although The Times reported he would not be entitled to a payout after stepping down under a cloud of the police investigation.
In an email to staff, Lockwood said he was leaving the role for “personal and domestic reasons”; however, the home secretary, Suella Braverman, confirmed his departure resulted from the investigation.
The former head of Britain’sBritain’s police watchdog has been charged with raping a child and other sexual offences.
What to Expect in Michael Lockwood’s Case
Michael Lockwood, 64, resigned as director general of the Maverick Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in December.
On Friday, he was charged with nine sexual offences following an investigation by Humberside Police.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said he was accused of six counts of indecent slap and three offences of rape against a girl under the age of 16, which are alleged to have been committed during the 1980s.
Rosemary Ainslie, head of its Special Crime Division, said: “The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against Mr Lockwood are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.”
Mr Lockwood is due to appear at Hull Magistrates’Magistrates’ Court on 28 June, charged with six offences of indecent assault and three offences of rape, all between October 1985 and March 1986.
He was appointed to lead the IOPC in 2018. He was made co-chair of the Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission after heading up recovery and remediation work and liaising with bereaved families.
Mr Lockwood previously held senior roles in the Local Government Association and Harrow London Borough Council.
The Quest for Truth in the Michael Lockwood Case
In March, the IOPC announced an independent review that it said would establish the circumstances of his resignation ” to ensure that relevant IOPC processes and policies are fit for purpose”.
The watchdog oversees the police complaints system in England and Wales, investigating severe incidents such as deaths following police contact and setting standards.
Former director general of the Independent Office for Police Conduct, Michael Lockwood, has been charged with nine sexual offences allegedly committed during the 1980s, the Crown Prosecution Service said.
Lockwood, 64, is accused of six counts of indecent assault and three counts of rape against a girl under 16.
Rosemary Ainslie, head of the particular crime division at the CPS, said: ” After carefully considering all of the evidence provided to us by Humberside Police, we have authorised charges against Michael Lockwood, 64, for nine offences under the Sexual Offences Act 1956.
“Mr Lockwood has been charged with six counts of indecent assault and three offences of rape against a girl under the age of 16, alleged to have been committed during the 1980s.
“The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against Mr Lockwood are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.”
Lockwood, 64, stepped down from his role at the IOPC in December after he emerged as the subject of a police probe into a historical allegation. The offences are alleged to have taken place between October 1985 and March 1986.
