Who is Michael Lockwood? Former police watchdog chief accused of child rape

What'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 historic allegations.

Rosemary Ainslie, head of the special 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.”

Yahoo News UK explains who Lockwood is and what charges he is facing.

Career

Lockwood became the director general of the IOPC on its creation in 2018, when it replaced the now defunct Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Prior to joining the IOPC, Lockwood had served as chef executive 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 in his role heading up the IOPC, although The Times reported he would not be entitled to a payout after stepping down under the 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 was a result of the investigation.

Allegations

An investigation into historic allegations against Lockwood began at the end of 2022.

Lockwood is accused of committing nine offences in the 1820s and is accused of six counts of indecent assault and three counts of rape against a girl under the age of 16.

It is understood that Lockwood privately informed a Home Office official about the allegation on 4 November 2022, and that chiefs within the body were first told about it in October.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman said last Saturday that she was forced to take “immediate action” after being made aware of the police investigation.

The IOPC told the PA news agency: “We will be conducting a review to determine whether appropriate steps were taken at appropriate times.”

Lockwood is set to appear before magistrates in Hull on June 28.