Loose Women’s Jane Moore begs people ‘not to point the finger of blame’ after Caroline Flack’s death
LOOSE Women’s Jane Moore has urged people to not to “point the finger of blame” in the aftermath of Caroline Flack’s suicide. The 52-year-old Sun columnist told viewers today: “It’s a very difficult conversation to have when someone has taken their own life. “It’s a very complex issue. All my journalistic career I have taken […]
LOOSE Women’s Jane Moore has urged people to not to “point the finger of blame” in the aftermath of Caroline Flack’s suicide.
The 52-year-old Sun columnist told viewers today: “It’s a very difficult conversation to have when someone has taken their own life.
“It’s a very complex issue. All my journalistic career I have taken the view that I wait to see what the full story is until I come out of the traps.
“Of course, we are now in the age of social media where everyone has an opinion.
“So what we’ve been seeing over the last couple of days is: ‘It’s the media’s fault, it’s the CPS’s fault, it was something to do with ITV.’
“Pointing the finger of blame, I think, is a very unnecessary and unwise thing to do in the aftermath of such a tragic story.”
Caroline was due to stand trial accused of assault, a charge which caused her to pull out of hosting the first winter series of Love Island shortly before it went on air in January.
Jane added: “There are a lot of restrictions on the media. There’s legislation – things you can and can’t do.
“For example, with Caroline, it was an active court case so there were things that as the mainstream media you instantly can’t write something because you might affect the outcome of the court case.
“That doesn’t happen in social media. Social media is like the Wild West… We need to make a distinction, we need to not get into the blame game here.”
Speaking about Caroline, she added: “Her family have not criticised the media. A lot of people are criticising the media who have their own agenda against the media.”
Jane also spoke up for the Crown Prosecution Service, who have come in for heavy criticism for pursuing the case.
She said: “All people are equal in the eyes of the law… If they [the CPS] had dropped it, they might have turned round and said: ‘You’re only dropping it because that person is on television.'”
Many viewers agreed, with one writing: “I think Jane talks absolute sense re the tragic death of Caroline Flack.”
Another wrote: “Thought Jane gave the view from the other side, in an articulate way. Takes some balls.”
Caroline was found dead aged 40 after taking her own life at her flat in Stoke Newington, North London, on Saturday.
Friend Lou Teasdale, 36, had stayed with her overnight before leaving to go to the shops at around 9.30am. Caroline’s body was found a short time later.
- If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123
YOU'RE NOT ALONE
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123