Police accuse BBC of 'strong-arming officers into handing over information about Sir Cliff Richard's alleged historical sex offences'

  • Sir Cliff Richard, 76, has spoken of the 'trauma' caused by false accusations 
  • He admits he is now scared to touch children for fear of someone complaining 
  • Raid of his home in 2014 was broadcast by the BBC who conspired with police 
  • Sir Cliff sues BBC and South Yorkshire Police over naming him in sex abuse probe

By MARTIN ROBINSON, CHIEF REPORTER

Published: | Updated:

Angry: Sir Cliff, 76,  is suing the BBC and police for the distress and humiliation following false sex claims and accused the BBC of broadcasting a police raid on his home purely for entertainment

Angry: Sir Cliff, 76,  is suing the BBC and police for the distress and humiliation following false sex claims and accused the BBC of broadcasting a police raid on his home purely for entertainment

Police say they were 'strong-armed' into giving a BBC reporter information about an investigation into Sir Cliff Richard, a High Court judge was told. 

The 76-year-old singer said he had suffered depression, distress and humiliation following false sex claims and accused the BBC of broadcasting a police raid on his Surrey home purely for entertainment in August 2014.

Although Sir Cliff was never arrested, it took until 2016 for prosecutors to rule out charges. A review last year confirmed that decision was correct.

Sir Cliff has sued the BBC - and South Yorkshire Police - over reports naming him as a suspected sex offender.

BBC editors have said they will 'defend ourselves vigorously' denied the allegation they were 'strong-armed', Mr Justice Mann was told.

Detail of rival claims emerged at a preliminary hearing before Mr Justice Mann at the High Court in London today. The singer was not at Wednesday's hearing.

Sir Cliff has taken legal action against the BBC and South Yorkshire Police in the wake of coverage of a raid at his apartment in Sunningdale, Berkshire, in August 2014.

Lawyers representing Sir Cliff said - in written submissions - in October that he had suffered 'profound and long-lasting' damage. 

In 2014, Sir Cliff's £3million apartment in Sunningdale, Berkshire, was raided by detectives as the BBC watched from above

In 2014, Sir Cliff's £3million apartment in Sunningdale, Berkshire, was raided by detectives

The five-hour raid by eight officers from South Yorkshire Police was televised by the BBC

The five-hour raid by eight officers from South Yorkshire Police was televised by the BB

They say he has sold the apartment which was raided because the prospect of living somewhere which had been 'so publicly violated' distressed him.

They say the furore threw his 'creative and business plans' into disarray - and forced him to delay the release of an album of 'rock 'n' roll classics'. And they say he has run up more than £1 million in lawyers' bills.

Mr Justice Mann has been told that in late 2013, a man had made an allegation to the Metropolitan Police, saying he had been sexually assaulted by Sir Cliff at a public event at Sheffield United's Bramall Lane football stadium in Sheffield as a child in 1985.

Metropolitan Police officers had passed the allegation to South Yorkshire Police in July 2014.

Sir Cliff had denied the allegation 'as soon as it was brought to his attention' and in June last year, prosecutors announced he would face no charges.

He has alleged that the BBC made an agreement with South Yorkshire Police.

And he says South Yorkshire Police contravened guidance on 'relationships with the media'.

The singer says his privacy was invaded and he wants ''very substantial' damages.

Return: The singer's close friend Gloria Hunniford and Sir Cliff attend the Pride Of Britain awards last October, the singer's first public appearance after he was told he had no case to answer

Return: The singer's close friend Gloria Hunniford and Sir Cliff attend the Pride Of Britain awards last October, the singer's first public appearance after he was told he had no case to answer

In December a BBC spokeswoman said bosses would defend coverage.

'As we have said on several occasions, we are very sorry that Sir Cliff Richard has suffered distress,' she said.

'However, we have now submitted our response to this claim and will defend ourselves vigorously.'

She added: 'It is the BBC's responsibility to report fully stories that are in the public interest. Police investigations into prominent figures in public life are, of course, squarely in the public interest.'

The spokeswoman said 'at every stage' the BBC had reported Sir Cliff's 'full denial of the allegations'.

In June, South Yorkshire Police apologised 'wholeheartedly for the additional anxiety caused' to Sir Cliff by the force's 'initial handling of the media interest' in its investigation into the singer.

A barrister representing Sir Cliff on Wednesday outlined differing stances taken by South Yorkshire Police and the BBC.

'South Yorkshire Police's case is that they were effectively strong-armed into co-operating,' said Justin Rushbrooke QC.

'The BBC say not so. All (a reporter) did was to say he knew that (Sir Cliff) was being investigated by South Yorkshire Police.'

 

 

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