Caroline Starmer: Mother who said she was assaulted while breastfeeding in Primark charged by police

A mother who claimed she was assaulted in a Leicester Primark while breastfeeding her baby is now facing charges for perverting the course of justice. Police have said Caroline Starmer is due to appear at Leicester Magistrates' Court on 24 August.

The charges follow an allegation made by Starmer that, while she was in a store in Humberstone Gate on 13 July, she was assaulted by a security guard.

Starmer posted her claims on a Facebook page campaigning against the discrimination of breast feeding mothers called Free to Feed. She was later interviewed by a news agency, which sold her story to national newspapers and websites.

Primark has said Starmer alleged to police and the press that she was breastfeeding her child in the store when a security guard told her she had to stop and forcibly removed the child from her.

The Irish clothing chain has said in a statement: "We are pleased to have the opportunity to confirm that Primark will continue to work hard to ensure that all of our customers have a comfortable and enjoyable experience in our stores. This of course includes breastfeeding mothers, who remain welcome, as ever, at Primark."