The former head of the police watchdog has been charged with raping a girl under 16 and indecent assault.

Michael Lockwood, the former director general of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), has been charged with nine sexual offences allegedly committed during the 1980s, the Crown Prosecution Service said.

He faces six counts of indecent assault and three offences of rape against the girl, the CPS added.

The 64-year-old stepped down from his role at the IOPC in December after it emerged he was the subject of a police probe into a historical allegation.

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.”

The offences are alleged to have taken place between October 1985 and March 1986.

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